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THE 



PKISONER OF WAR, 



AND 



HOW TREATED 



CONTAINING A HISTORY OF COLONEL STREIGHT'S EXPEDITION TO THE 
REAR OF BRAGG'S ARMY, IN THE SPRING OF 18G3, AND A CORRECT 
ACCOUNT OF THE TREATMENT AND CONDITION OF THE UNION 
PRISONERS OF WAR IN THE REBEL PRISONS OF THE SOUTH, 
IN 18r,3-4. BEING THE ACTUAL EXPERIENCE OF A UNION 
OFFICER DURING TWENTY -TWO MONTHS' IMPRISON- 
MENT IN REBELDOM. WITH PERSONAL ADVEN- 
TURES, BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES, AND HIS- 
TORY OF ANDERSONVILLE PRISON PEN. 



By lieutenant A. C. ROACH, A. A. D. C. 



PUBLISHED BY 

THE RAILROAD CITY PUBLISHING HOUSE, 

A. D. STKEIGHT, Proprietor. 

North-East Corner Washington and Meridian Streets, Indianapolia, Ind. 
1865. 



Entered accoidiug to Act of Congress, in the year one thousand eight hundred and 
sixty-five, 

BY A. D. STREIGHT, 

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of tlie United States, for the District of 
Indiana. 

Hall & Hutchinson, Stereotypers. 



'2 t> (^ n 









PREFACE. 



The preparation of this work was first contem- 
plated, and partly executed, while I was confined in 
the rebel prisons of the South ; and with the intention 
of publishing it immediately after my release or escape 
from captivity. But the sudden collapse of the mili- 
tary power of the people arrayed in armed rebellion 
against the Government, following soon thereafter, at 
first determined me to forego the publication of a 
work, which I conceived might possibly tend to keep 
alive the embers of discord between us and our South- 
ern foes, and as far as in me lie, consign to oblivion 
the memory of their wicked deeds, and forget the suf- 
erings and wrongs of myself and fellow captives. 

Subsequent events, however, have shown that our 
late enemies are not possessed of the same spirit of 
kindly feeling and friendship that we have extended to 
them. Moreover, that the leaders among them have, 
under the dissembling guise of repentance, sought the 
pardon and confidence of the nation — which, by force 
of arms, in four years of bloody war, they failed to dis- 
member — that they might, with the wily arts of the 
politician, accomplish its destruction. 

Believing that subserviency to the demands of those 
lately leading the armed hosts arrayed against us, by 

(3) 



4 PREFACE. 

the slave Oligarchy, and the wholesale and indiserim- 
inate pardon extended them by our Chief Magistrate, 
will, at no distant day, render fruitless the glorious 
work accomplished by our noble armies, and vain the 
gallant deeds and heroic sufferings of the brave men 
of whom they were composed, I send forth to the pub- 
lic this volume ; which, without pretensions to literary 
merit, breathes the dying moans and starving wails of 
twenty thousand Union soldiers, whose shroudless and 
uncoffined bodies moulder beneath the sod, adjacent to 
the rebel prisons in which they were tortured to death, 
trusting that whatever influence it may exercise will 
aid in bringing the guilty leaders of treason to just 
punishment, for their enormous crimes against hu- 
manity. 

Without any aspirations whatever, to literary noto- 
riety, I have endeavored to give a plain, unvarnished 
narrative of facts and incidents of prison life, as they 
occurred, under my own observation, during twenty- 
two months in various rebel prisons. I have added, 
also, the statements of several other Union prisoners, 
w^ho stand ready to vouch for the same with their 
affidavits. 

In this recital of the terrible woe of our soldiers who 
were prisoners of war, I do not wish it to be under- 
stood that I charge the mass of the Southern people 
with complicity in the inhuman treatment they re- 
ceived. Jeff. Davis, Robert E. Lee, and other rebels 
liigh in authority, and the monsters whom they placed 
in immediate command of the prisoners, are alone re- 
sponsible, and on their heads let just and condign pun- 
ishment fall. 

A. C. K 



CONTENTS 



CHAPTER I. 

COLONEL STREIGHt's EXPEDITION. 

Introductory Remarks — Organization of Sfcreight's Expedition — 
Departure from Nashville — Palmyra, Tennessee — Experience 
with Mules — Foraging Parties — Tuscumbia — Eastport — Disas- 
trous Affair — Loyal Citizens — Battle of Day's Gap — Rebel Bar- 
barities — Battle of Crooked Creek — Capture of Doctor King — 
Ambushing the Enemy Page 9-29. 

CHAPTER II, 

streigiit's expedition continued. 
Burning Black Creek Bridge — A Rebel Heroine — ^^Battlo of Blunt's 
Farm — Death of Colonel Hathaway — Prospects of Success — 
Lose the Route — Captain Russell's Party — Surrender to Gen- 
eral Forrest Page 30-42. 

CHAPTER IIL 

IMPRISONMENT, 

Rome, Georgia — Arrival at Libby Prison — Description of The Libby 
— Union Ladies Insulted — Fourth of July in Libby — Stars and 
Stripes in Prison — Their Capture Page 43-50. 

CHAPTER IV. 

LIFE IN PRISON. 

Increasing Barbarities — Colonel Streight's Letter to the Rebel Sec- 
retary of War — Perfidy of Union Officers — Lieutenant Colonel 

(5) 



5 CONTENTS. 

Sanderson's Communications to the Rebel Commissary — Indig- 
nation of the Prisoners — Starved to Death — Escape of a Dead 
Yankee Page 51-GO. 

CHAPTER y. 

BELLE ISLE, 

Prisoners Compelled to Eat Dog Flesh — The Chickamauga Prison- 
ers — Rebel Hospitals — The Richmond Examiner — It Counsels 
Murder — Treatment of Rebel Prisoners in the North. 

Page 61-69. 

CHAPTER VI. 

WINTER IN LIBBY. 

Terrible Suffering — Inside View of Libby — Prisoners Cooking Their 
Rations — Amusements — Prisoners' Letters — Fresh Fish — Ex- 
change — Night in Libby Page 70-80. 

CHAPTER VII. 

ESCAPE OF ANDERSON AND SKELTON. 

Preparation for the Escape — Discovered by the Guard — Second At- 
tempt — Final Exit from Richmond — Friendliness of the Slaves 
— Union Soldiers — Liberty and the Old Flag — The Council of 
Five — First Escape of Colonel Streight — His Letter to General 
Meredith — General Morgan's Visit to Libby - - Page 81-97. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

THE LIBBY TUNNEL. 

The Negroes in Libby — One Hundred and Nine Officers Escape — 
Colonel Streight Gets Fast in the Tunnel — Names of the Prin- 
, cipal Officers who Escaped — Colonel Streight Secreted by a 
Loyal Woman Several Days in Richmond — Detectives Search- 
ing for Him — Perilous Adventures of the Escaped Prisoners — 
Safe Arrival in the Union Lines Page 97-118. 

CHAPTER IX. 

kilpatrick's expedition. 
Attempt to Release the Prisoners— Death of Colonel Dahlgren— 



CONTENTS. 1 

Horrible Mutilation of His Body — Plot to Blow Up the Prison 

— Kemoval from Libby — Macon — Captain Tabb — A Union Of- 
j&cer Murdered Page 119-132. 

CHAPTER X. 

GENERAL STONEMAN's EAID. 

Stoneinan's Cavalry Approach Macon — The Fight and Repulse — 
Capture of Stoneman and His Command — Removal from Macoa 

— Charleston — Its Desolation — The Work-House — Jail — Bom- 
bardment of the City — Removal to Columbia — Camp Sorghum. 

Page 133-144. 

CHAPTER XI. 

ESCAPE OF CAPTAIN RUSSELL. 

First Attempt — Liberty or Death— Accidental Meeting with a Friend 

— Long Fasting and Extreme Fatigue — He Makes a Foray on a 
Flock of Sheep — Recaptured — Lexington Jail — Second Attempt 

— Receive Aid from the Negroes — Narrow Escape from Drown- 
ing — Raw Corn His Only Subsistence — Arrival Inside of Sher- 
man's Lines — Secretary Stanton Page 145-170. 

CHAPTER XIL 

PRISON LIFE AT COLUMBIA. 

Removal from Camp Sorghum — Asylum Prison — Chandler's String 
Band — Sherman's March to the Sea — Fall of Savannah and the 
Encouragement it Gave the Prisoners — Preparations for Escape 

— Removal from Columbia Page 171-177. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

ESCAPE OF THE AUTHOR. 

Out of the Jaws of Death — Recapture of Lieutenant Pool — Ash- 
Cake for General Sherman — Captain Aigan Left Exhausted on 
the Road — The Slave 'Math' — Union Family Near Columbia, 
South Carolina — Their Kindness to Escaped Prisoners. 

Page 178-193. 



8 CONTENTS. 

CHAPTEK XIV. 

THE OLD FLAG ^ND LIBERTY. 

Math Proposes to Steal His Master's Mules — Devastation by Sher- 
man's Army^ of South Carolina — Concealment at the House of 
Mr. Carman — The T\^o Misses Carman — Change of Base — 
Luckless Adventure of Captain Aigan — Safe with the Union 
Army— Lieutenant Colonel Morrow and Captain Rosser — The 
Ninety-Second Ohio Volunteers — Sherman's Bummers — Bum- 
mer's Report — Arrival at Fayetteville, North Carolina. 

Page 94-207. 

CHAPTER XV. 

ANDERSON VILLE PRISONERS. 

Horrible Sights in the Streets of Charleston — Our Returned Pris- 
oners at Wilmington — Report of Doctor J. C. Dalton — General 
Winder and Captain Wertz — Statement of an Andersonville 
Prisoner Page 207-216. 

CHAPTER XVI. 

ANDERSONVILLE CONTINUED. 

Eight Months in the Pen — Statement of H. M. Roach — Three Days 
Without Food of Any Kind — Trading Dead Men for Wood — 
Letter from Miss Clara Barton — Two Hundred and Sixty-seven 
Prisoners Wantonly Murdered — Letter from a Georgia Planter. 

Page 217-230. 

CHAPTER XVII. 

PERSONAL SKETCHES. 

Major Harry White — Captain DriscoU and Lieutenant Pavey — 
Lieutenant Von Braiday — Captains Flinn and Sawyer — Lieu- 
tenant Edwin Read— AXajor B. C. G. Reed - Page 231-245. 



CHAPTER I 



INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 

When new arrivals of unfortunate prisoners were 
ushered into the gloomy precincts of the various rebel 
prisons of the South, by the brutal and inhuman of- 
ficials in charge, they were almost invariably addressed 
by the old inhabitants with the simple but important 
interrogatory, *' Where were you captured?" 

Consequently, knowing the propensity of my old 
comrades and fellow prisoners to learn where and how 
each individual prisoner was "gobbled," I shall, in the 
first place, although it does not properly belong to the 
original design of our history of prison life, give a 
sketch of Colonel Streight's expedition to Georgia in 
the spring of 1863, when, it will be recollected, his en- 
tire command, consisting of about twelve hundred men 
and one hundred ofiicers, were made prisoners of war, 
and charged with such heinous crimes by the then ex- 
ultant, and seemingly triumphant and successful rebels, 
that their authorities refused to exchange us, on any 
terms whatever. This action of the rebel ofiicials at 
once put a stop to the workings of the cartel arranged 
some months previous, for the immediate exchange of 
all prisoners of war, as soon as practicable after their 
capture. This, then, being the beginning of that pre- 

(9) 



10 THE PRISONER OF WAR. 

meditated and systematic plan of inhuman treatment, 
starvation and murder, practiced by the rebel authori- 
ties during the last two years of the war, on Union sol- 
diers who fell into their hands, I trust is sufficient apol- 
ogy for introducing it into this work. 



The spring of 1863 opened with the prospect of be- 
ing a season of inactivity for the Army of the Cum- 
berland. The rebel General Bragg, with a large and 
well equipped army, occupied near Tullahoma, Tennes- 
see, a strong natural position, improved by all the inge- 
nuity known to military science, until it was almost 
impregnable. Consequently it w^as not in the pro- 
gramme of the cautious and sagacious Eosecrans, then 
commanding the Army of the Cumberland, to make an 
advance movement until his command was in a condi- 
tion of health, numbers and equipments, that certain 
and decisive victory would be inevitable. These im- 
portant military items it was not expected could be 
brought about before, perhaps, the middle of the ap- 
proaching summer. 

To the mind of Colonel A. D. Streight, of the Fifty- 
First Indiana Volunteer Infantry, this term of inaction 
was a period of ennui, and afibrded the enemy in his 
stronghold at Tullahoma a rest and feeling of security, 
that his active and restless spirit could not contemplate. 
He therefore made application to the commanding Gen- 
eral for an independent mounted brigade, a command of 
this description necessarily aifording an opportunity for 
constant and active service; and would, if directed in 
the proper manner, draw from the banks of the Cum- 
berhmd and Ohio the guerrilla bands of Forrest, Mor- 



AND HOW TREATED. 11 

gan and other noted chieftains in the rebel serv'ce, and 
give them employment in their own boasted laud of 
"Dixie." 

This enterprise of Colonel S. was favorably received 
by General Rosecrans, and the following named troops 
accordingly placed under his command and designated 
as the Independent Provisional Brigade, designed for 
special secret service: His own regiment, (the Fifty- 
First Indiana;) Third Ohio, Colonel 0. A. Lawson; 
Seventy-Third Indiana, Colonel Gilbert Hathaway; 
and Eightieth Illinois, Lieutenant Colonel A. F. Rod- 
gers commanding; also companies D and E of the First 
Middle Tennessee cavalry, commanded by Captain D. 
D. Smith. Active preparations were at once com- 
menced for an expedition to Alabama and Georgia, for 
the purpose of destroying the vast supplies of the 
rebels and the railroad communication in the interior 
of those States. 

On arriving at the city of ITashville, where Colonel 
Streight was ordered to fit out his command, prepara- 
tory to starting on the expedition, he organized the fol- 
lowing staff, to-wit: Captain D. L. Wright, Fifty-First 
Indiana Volunteers, to be A. A. A. G. ; Major W. L. 
Peck, Third Ohio, to be Brigade Surgeon; Lieutenant 
J. G. Doughty, Regimental Quartermaster Fifty-First 
Indiana Volunteers, to be A. A. Q. M.; Captain E. M. 
Driscoll, Third Ohio Volunteers, to be A. A. L G.; 
Lieutenant C. W. Pavey, Eightieth Illinois Volunteers, 
to be Brigade Ordnance Officer; and Lieutenant A. C. 
Roach, Fifty-First Indiana Volunteers, to be A. D. C. 

Operations now commenced in earnest. Colonel 
Streight and the officers of his staff working day and 
night to supply the command with the necessary cloth- 
ing, ordnance and equipments for the expedition; and 



12 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

at the end of the third day, with the exception of the re- 
quisite number of animals to mount the comnnand, the 
"Provisional Brigade" was thoroughly organized and 
equiped, officers and men ready and anxious for any 
duty they might be called upon to perform. 

DEPARTURE FROM NASHVILLE. 

On the afternoon of April tenth Colonel Streight re- 
ceived orders from General Garfield, Chief of Staff, to 
embark at once, on steamers then at the landing, and 
proceed down the river to Palmyra; everything was 
speedily put on board and got in readiness for starting; 
and on the morning of the 11th, from the decks of the 
transports chartered for our expedition, as they sped 
irresistibly along before the might}^ force of the river's 
current and power of the steam engine, we took a fare- 
well view of the Capital of "Old Tennessee," and soon 
the church spires and cupolas, reflecting the beams of 
the morning sun, were lost to the eye, and the rugged 
banks of the Cumberland, and the spiral columns of 
white steam ascending from the exhaust pipes of the 
numerous boats composing our fleet, and forming be- 
hind us, over vale and hill, a milky track of the cir- 
cuitous course of the Cumberland, were the only ob- 
jects to divert the mind or attract the attention, until 
we arrived at the place which, in the palmy days of 
pieaee, was pointed out to the traveler on the now clas- 
sic waters of the Cumberland, as the village of Pal- 
myra, but now only a heap of black and charred ruins; 
presenting one of the many scenes of devastation that 
will tell, for years to come, that our country was once 
convulsed with one of the most unnatural and gigantic 
wars of any age — a war inaugurated by a people whose 



AND HOW TREATED. 13 

sole aim and object was to rear an autocratic govern- 
ment on the ruins of constitutional liberty and human 
freedom. 

LANDING AT PALMYRA. 

At this place our command disembarked and bivou- 
acked for the night. Early the next morning a detail of 
four companies was placed under command of Colonel 
Lawson, of the Third Ohio Volunteers, to accompany 
our transports, (eight in number,) via Smithland and 
Paducah to Fort Henry, on the Tennessee river, where 
our command was to re-embark. 

We remained at Palmyra one day and a half, during 
which time every member of the command was act- 
ively employed — those to whom the animals were issued 
that were furnished us at !N"ashville, "breaking their 
mules," the remainder scourina^ the countrv throus^h in 
every direction, in quest of animals to put through the 
same interesting ceremony, during the performance of 
which the long-eared and stubborn quadruped before 
mentioned would tax his ingenuity and muscularpower 
to the utmost, to divest himself of his unwelcome rider. 
And as our boys were "foot soldiers," they were at first 
Yevy easily dismounted, frequently in a most undigni- 
fied and unceremonious manner. One witnessing the 
performance, and not knowing the boys were "break- 
ing mules," would have naturally supposed they be- 
longed to Dan. Rice's, or Van Amburgh's circus, and 
were a company of trained summersaulters and tum- 
blers, exercising in their profession for amusement; 
though could they have been close enough to see the 
numerous bruised heads and sprained limbs, the illusion 
would have been soon dispelled: But both of these, or 



14 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

even worse injuries, the boys regarded as of but trivial 
consequence; and now that so admirable an opportu- 
nity for riding presented itself, they were determined 
to ride at all hazards. It was here that Colonel Streight 
first discovered the quality of the animals drawn by 
Quartermaster Doughty, at Nashville. In his report to 
Major General Thomas, he speaks concerning them as 
follows: 

"The mules issued to me at ITashville were nothing 
but poor, wild, unbroken colts, many of them but two 
years old; a large number of them had the horse dis- 
temper; some forty or fifty of the lot were too near 
dead to travel, and had to be left at the landing, and 
some ten or twelve died before we started." Those 
that were able to travel at all were so wild and unman- 
ageable that it took nearly two days to catch and break 
them; even then a man saddling one was in imminent 
danger of his life, unless he kept a sharp lookout for 
the heels of his mule, which were most of the time 
performing evolutions in tlie air something after the 
style of the wild Highland Fling. ^ 

LEAVE PALMYRA. 

On the 13th our command left Palmyra and marched 
about fifteen miles, proceeding b}' a circuitous route in 
a south-western direction, camping at night on Yellow 
Creek, fourteen miles from Fort Donelson. This was 
our first day's march as mounted infantry, though as 
yet only about one-third of our men were mounted; 
but these were considered by the boj's a most formida- 
ble body of cavalry: and the}^ no doubt imagined 
themselves, mounted on their suddenly metamorphosed 
war steeds, (mules,) successfully charging and putting 



AND HOW TREATED. 15 

to flight massed columns of the enemy's infantry, rush- 
ing with yells and fixed bayonets to the conflict. 

Nature had donned her most attractive garb, the 
warm spring sun had already coaxed the early wild 
flowers to peep modestly forth and adorn lislds and 
woods with their bright hues, which seemed to inspire 
every soldier with hope and courage, the thought of 
being prisoners in the hands of a merciless and inhu- 
man enemy within a month, or ever for that matter, 
never once entering their minds; but the fortunes of 
war are of all things the most variable. 

PRESSING HORSES AND MULES. 

Early the next morning we resumed our march, and 
arrived at Fort Henry about noon on the 15th; we 
had scoured the country as far south as it was safe, on 
the account of the proximity of a large force of the 
enemy in that direction under Woodward. 

It will be remembered that we left Kashville with 
less than eight hundred animals, not quite half enough 
to mount our command, and many of these entirely 
useless for the kind of service required. And although 
about one hundred of our mules gave out and had to 
be left behind on our march, yet when we reached Fort 
Henry our animals numbered about twelve hundred; 
those we had collected in the country were mostly in 
good condition, but w^ere nearl}^ all barefooted. 

It may be asked why we were not furnished with a 
suflicient number of good animals before leaving Nash- 
ville. For the very good reason, that the grand object 
of the expedition was to cripple the enemy as much as 
possible; and one very efi:ectual way of doing tliis, was 
to seize the animals whose labor furnished subsistence 



16 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

for the rebel armies and roving bands of guerillas, 
whose dastardly and fiendish deeds have cursed the 
fairest portions of Kentucky, Tennessee, and other 
border States. General Eosecrans therefore gave 
orders to Colonel Streight to mount his command ia 
the above manner; and which could very easily have 
been done, had there been one-third as much stock in 
the country as we expected to find; and had there been 
one-tenth the number General Morgan found in the 
course of his expedition through Indiana and Ohio, we 
could have marched to the coast of Florida and back 
in safety, but on the contrary the line of our expedi- 
tion aflforded but a very few animals, and those of an 
inferior quality. 

Contrary to our expectations, our transports had not 
yet arrived at Fort Henry, and did not reach there 
until the evening of the 16th, having been delayed at 
Paducah, Kentucky, taking on rations and forage for 
General Dodge's army at Corinth, Mississippi. The 
whole of that night ofiicers and men were actively en- 
gaged embarking the animals, and in other prepara- 
tions for our departure from Fort Henry. And on the 
morning of the 17th, when the sun came out bright 
and beautiful from behind the hills bordering the 
waters of the Tennessee, his beams mingled with the 
spray dashed in air by the bows of our vessels as they 
ploughed impetuously against the current of the grand 
old river. After a voyage of three days, made delight- 
ful and pleasant b}^ the genial smiles of a Southern 
spring, that gave a garb of beauty and grandeur to the 
towering hills on either side, and a border of green 
shrubbery and many colored flowers to the meandering 
Tennessee, we arrived at Eastport, Mississippi, at that 



AND HOW TREATED. 17 

time, ill consequence of low water, the head of naviga- 
tion on this river. 

LAND AT EASTPORT. 

Eastport is a steamboat landing in the north-east 
corner of the State of Mississippi, and eight miles from 
luka, formerly the scene of one of our gallant Eosey's 
triumphs. At this time General Dodge, with his 
Corinth army, was in camp on the banks of Little Bear 
Creek, ten miles distant, awaiting the arrival of our 
command, he having received orders to make a demon- 
stration up the Tennessee river, threatening Tuscum- 
bia, Florence, and other points in the valley, for the 
purpose of covering the movements of our expedition. 
Soon as oar command had disembarked, and directions 
had been given for camping the brigade and caring for 
the animals, Colonel Streight started for General 
Dodge's camp, an interview with that officer being ne- 
cessary to our future movements. 

DISASTROUS AFFAIR. 

In justice to all parties concerned, it would be well 
to mention here a circumstance which contributed 
much, no doubt, to the failure of the expedition. "While 
disembarking and picketing our animals, a stampede 
was created among them, when nearly three hundred 
of the best we had escaped. When Colonel Streight 
returned from General Dodge's camp, he dispatched 
large scouting parties in every direction in quest of the 
strayed horses and mules, but only a small portion of 
the number escaped were recovered; the remainder 
fell into the hands of the enemy. 



18 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

The loss of these animals was a heavy blow to the 
command; for besides detaining us nearly two days at 
Eastport, and running down our stock in searching the 
country to recover them, it caused a still further delay 
at Tuscumbia, to supply their places. Another lot of 
the mules drawn at ]^ashville had to be left here, on 
account of the distemper before mentioned. 

ARRIVAL AT, AND DEPARTURE FROM TUSCUMBIA. 

We left Eastport on the afternoon of the 21st of 
April, and reached General Dodge's headquarters the 
following morning at 8 o'clock. We then proceeded 
in rear of General Dodge's forces, who were contin- 
ually skirmishing with the enemy, as they advanced, 
as far as Tuscumbia, Alabama, scouring the country 
to the river on the left, and to the mountains on our 
right, and collected in all the horses and mules that 
could be found. 

We arrived at Tuscumbia about five o clock p. m., on 
the twenty-fourth day of April. Here General Dodge 
furnished us with about two hundred mules and six 
wagons, the latter to haul our ammunition and rations. 
We now had all but about one hundred and fifty of our 
men mounted, though some of them very indifferently. 

At one o'clock, on the morning of the twenty-sixth, 
our brigade moved quietly out of camp at this place, 
taking a south-east course, in the direction of Rome, 
Georgia. General Dodge, at the same time, advanced 
with his forces on Courtland, to engage the enemy un- 
til we should be beyond pursuit. Had he followed this 
programme, which was in fact the object of his move- 
ment from Corinth — as Colonel 8treight expected, and 
as he assured the Colonel he would do — nothing could 



AND HOW TREATED. 19 

have interfered to prevent the expedition being en- 
tirely successful in every particular. 

The first night after leaving Tuscumbia, our advance, 
consisting of all our mounted force, camped in the vi- 
cinity of Mount Hope, a village in Lawrence county, 
Alabama, having made a march of thirty-four miles, 
over mountainous and almost impassable roads. Col. 
Streight took up his quarters at the house of one of the 
most wealthy and influential citizens of the place, and 
withal an arrant traitor; though his daughter, a highly 
educated and accomplished young lady, professed to 
sympathise with us and our cause, and did everything 
in her power for our comfort. In fact, her actions went 
so far to prove her professions of loyalty, that Colonel 
S. ordered the Quartermaster to pay her for a beauti- 
ful riding pony taken by one of our tired and sore-footed 
*'boys" — it being General Rosecrans' orders to pay all 
loyal citizens for whatever property taken for the bene- 
fit of the command. 

The following' evenini? we entered the villa£:e of 
Moulton, the county seat of Lawrence county, Ala- 
bama. Our advance, consisting of Captain Smith's 
two companies of cavalry, charged into the town about 
sunset, putting to flight and capturing part of a com- 
pany of Colonel Koddy's command. 

LOYAL CITIZENS. 

Li the county jail, at the above place, had been con- 
fined for longer or shorter periods, and at difierent 
times, those citizens of the county who, amid the stir- 
ing and exciting scenes of a gigantic civil war, and sur- 
rounded by armed traitors, still defended the old flag, 
and battled manfully for the glorious principles of con- 



20 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

stitutional liberty. Many of these patriotic but perse- 
cuted men were, previous to the war, friends and neigh- 
bors of the soldiers of Captain Smith's command, who 
were themselves refugees from their homes and fami- 
lies, having nearly a year previous broken the thousand 
ties that bound them to their homes and firesides, their 
wives and little ones, to battle even unto death for the 
holy cause of liberty and human freedom. It was, 
therefore, with difiiculty they were prevented from 
razing to the ground the building within whose hated 
walls and filthy cells their friends and relations had 
been confined for weeks and months, and for no other 
reason than that they remained loyal to the Union, and 
maintained against all opposition an undying love for 
the glorious principles upon which the liberties of 
our country are founded. 

We remained at this place only long enough for the 
men to prepare some slight refreshment for themselves 
and feed their animals; this was soon accomplished, 
and before midnight the soldiers of the Provisional 
Brigade were again in the saddle and on the march. 

On the following day we captured a number of wag- 
ons, containing a large quantity of bacon, guns am- 
munition, &c. Such of these prizes as were necessary 
for the complete equipment of our command, were is- 
sued to the men, and the balance destroyed. We also 
picked up during the day's march a number of animals, 
which were indeed very much needed, as those drawn 
at ^N^ashville were failing very fast from excessive fa- 
tigue ; also from the distemper, before referred to. In 
fact, from ten o'clock in the morning our line of march 
was literally strewn with exhausted horses and mules, 
many of them dead and dying, and it was only by ex- 



AND HOW TREATED. 21 

traordinarj labor and exertion that their places were 
supplied as fast as they gave out. 

This day's march brought us to the base of a range 
of hills, known as the Sand Mountains. Here it was 
determined to bivouac for the night. The prospect of 
a few hours rest and sleep, a luxury that had not been 
enjoyed by any of us for some time previous, gave to 
our weary men a feeling of happiness that can only be 
realized by those who have experienced the utter ex- 
haustion of excessive fatigue and long wakefulness. 
Up to this time we had made slow progress in the di- 
rection of the grand object of the expedition, merely 
marching in that course with our foot soldiers, while 
our mounted force was engaged, day and night, scour- 
ing the country in every direction in search of horses 
and mules; and now that a sufficient number had been 
obtained, we were ready to push forward on the follow- 
ing morning with dispatch and rapidity. 

BATTLE OF DAY'S GAP. 

On the morning of April thirtieth, 1863, the sun 
shone out bright and beautiful, as spring day's sun ever 
beamed; and from the smouldering camp fires of the 
previous night the mild blue smoke ascended in grace- 
ful curves, and mingled with the gray mist slumbering 
on the moutain tops above. The scene was well calcu- 
lated to inspire and refresh tke minds of our weary sol- 
diers. But alas ! many of the brave souls that spurred 
their steeds on that beautiful morning, when the com- 
mand '^Column forward" was given, were never to see 
the dawn of another day. Scarcely was the column in 
motion when our rear was attacked by the enemy's ad- 
vance; sharp skirmishing continued for some time be- 



22 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

tween our rear guard and one of General Roddy's reg- 
iments. 

It was Colonel Streight's intention to avoid, if pos- 
sible, a general engagement, as the prosecution of our 
expedition towards its intended destination was of 
vastly mare importance than a victor^' in this locality 
could possibly be to our cause. But the enemy press- 
ing us closely, and bringing up his artillery, throwing 
shot and shell into our column, a battle was the only 
alternative; we therefore, soon as a favorable position 
was obtained, halted and dismounted, and after con- 
cealing our animals in a deep ravine in our rear, formed 
in line of battle for the coming conflict. It was a novel 
and imposing sight to witness here amid the blue and 
towering mountains, covered with the verdure of spring, 
the green sward smiling a w^elcome to the season of 
flowers, and the bright sun, unclouded, lending a genial, 
refreshing warmth, that little band, with shining bayo- 
nets, equipped for the stern conflict of war. The hour 
for action has come, and the battle of Day's Gap soon 
commences. 

The rebel regiments can be discovered moving into 
line; the "stars and bars" can be distinctly seen, but 
opposite floats proudly and defiantly the old stars and 
stripes — battle flag of the Union and banner of liberty! 
The Fifty-First and Seventy-Third Indiana regiments 
meet and repulse two desperate charges of the enemy. 
The Third Ohio and Eightieth Illinois have also be- 
come engaged. The cannonading is heavy, and the 
rattle of musketry is sharp, especially on our left. The 
enemy fights well, for they afe principally General 
Forrest's trained veterans. A loud and prolonged 
shout now bursts on the ear. It comes from the Third 
Ohio and Eightieth Illinois, who have charged and 



AND HOW TREATED. 23 

taken the enemy's battery. The enemy feel the loss of 
their guns and their line wavers! Cheer after cheer 
bursts from our brave boys, for the enemy are giving 
way! They are already running in the utmost disor- 
der and confusion. Our gallant soldiers still pursue, 
making the ground quake and the rebels tremble. The 
rout is complete and the field is ours. Eut the victory 
is won by the sacrifice of some of the best and bravest 
blood in our heroic little brigade. 

Those are proud moments for the soldier, when he 
stands victorious on the blo.ody field, and sees the 
columns of the enemy in full retreat before him. 

In this fight the enemy received such a severe chas- 
tisement that he would not have dared to pursue us 
further, had he not been reinforced by a large brigade 
of Forrest's troops, which, unfortunately for us, came 
to their assistance while his routed and demoralized 
masses were fleeing from the scene of their late inglo- 
rious defeat. The rebel loss in this engagement was 
about one hundred and eighty ofiicers and men killed 
and wounded, including Captain Forrest, a brother of 
the General. We also took a number of prisoners — 
about thirty. Our own loss in killed and wounded, 
was thirty-one ofiicers and men, including the brave 
and lamented Lieutenant-Colonel Sheets, of the Fifty- 
first Indiana, who fell mortally wounded while leading 
his regiment in a charge. 

REBEL BARBARITIES. 

We remained on the field of our victory for some 
time, anticipating a second attack from the enemy, 
who, now that he was greatly strengthened by the ad- 
dition >f a fresh brigade, no doubt felt confident of 



24 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

making us an easy prey; he did not, however, advance 
during our occupation of this position. 

The best arrangements possible were made for our 
wounded, whom we were compelled to leave here in a 
field hospital, leaving with them, however, one of our 
surgeons, (Dr. Spencer, of the Seventy-Third Indiana,) 
also such articles for their comfort and sustenance aa 
we had at our disposal. It was with feelings of the 
deepest regret that we left here in a hostile country, 
soon to fall into the hands of a merciless foe, our brave 
and wounded comrade^. But the necessities of war 
are imperative; consequently when the command 
forward was given, we were compelled to bid adieu, 
and leave here in the dark mountain ravine, in which 
our hospital was located, the brave but unfortunate 
men who had fallen by our sides in the late severe con- 
ilict. The treatment experienced by these men after 
the enemy advanced and made them their prisoners, 
was inhuman beyond expression. Every ounce of the 
bread, meat, sugar, coffee, &c., left for their subsistence, 
was immediately taken possession of by Forrest and 
Roddy's unfeeling troopers. And their blankets, and 
such articles of clothing as had necessarily been 
taken off, for the moment, were at once converted to 
the use of these semi- barbarous soldiers. In fact, as 
these acts of villainy occurred in presence of the rebel 
officers, we can but infer that it was in accordance w^ith 
established rules and regulations for these villains on 
all occasions to exercise their thieving propensities to 
their complete gratification. It was no unfrequent 
occurrence for one of them to approach our v/ounded 
and helpless officers and men, and rudely take their 
hats from their heads, perhaps inquire the cost of it, 
and receiving a proper reply, impudently remark that 



AND HOW TREATED. 25 

it was "mighty cheap," and then put it on his own 
head and walk off. Sometimes, perhaps, the}^ would 
leave with their helpless and defenceless victims, an 
old, gray and slouched head covering, that might once 
have been called a hat, and call it an "even swap." 
Such scenes as this were common, and only terminated 
when our men had been robbed of everything valuable 
about them, including even pocket knives, combs, and 
other small though useful articles. Even the medicines 
and surgical instruments, left with Dr. Spencer for the 
benefit of the wounded, were taken by the rebel sur- 
geons and carried off; consequently our men had to 
lay with their undressed wounds, and suffer the most 
horrible agony, until death put an end to their misery — 
several of them dying, who, v/ith a little kind treat- 
ment and attention, would soon have recovered. 

The loyal citizens in the vicinity would have gladly 
cared for, and given all the comfort and relief in their 
power to our wounded men, had they been permitted 
to do so; but the brutal guard would not allow their 
suffering fellow beings to receive from this source even 
a cup of milk or piece of bread. But thanks to the 
kind sympathizing heart and ingenious tact of woman, 
the vigilance of the rebel soldiers was occasionally eva- 
ded, and our men were the thankful recipients of some 
kind favor, or dainty article of diet, smuggled to them 
and bestowed by her fair hands. IS^'or were those 
wounded men, now prisoners of war, the only victims 
of rebel persecution. The citizens of the surrounding 
country, who were suspected of loyalty to the Union, 
were compelled to suffer the greatest indignities and 
most inhuman treatment. Mrs. Penn, a widow lady 
residing in the vicinity, and who had two sons with 
us in Captain Smith's company of Alabama cavalry, 



26 THE PRISONER OP WAR, 

seemed to be a special object of tbeir fiendish and 
malignant barbarities; she and her daughters were 
driven from their home, her house sacked from cellar 
to garret, and every article of property she possessed, 
including female wearing apparel, ruthlessly destroyed, 
her outhouses and fences burned, and horses and mules 
turned in on her growing crops. 

BATTLE OP CROOKED CREEK. 

After leaving Day's Gap, we proceeded several miles 
without any evidence of the enemy being in pursuit, 
but about four o'clock in the evening our rear was 
again attacked, and as we did not want to lose time by 
halting to give battle, if it could possibly be avoided, 
the column was kept in motion, skirmishing fighting 
going on, however, all the time between Captain 
Smith's two companies of cavalry and the enemy's 
advance. Captain Smith, with his little handful of 
men, kept the enemy at bay for more than two hours. 
But they were now pressing us so closely that Colonel 
Streight resolved to halt his command, and again give 
them battle. In a short time the bloody strife was 
raging with all the fury of brave and determined men. 
Charge after charge, made by the enemy, was met and 
repulsed by our brave boys, who drove back with ter- 
rible destruction each successive eflbrt, to dislodge them 
from the admirable position selected for our line of de- 
fense. 

This engagement raged with greater desperation for 
some time than the preceding action in the morning. 
The report of fire-arms was terrific; the flashes from 
musketry and artillery lighting up the hills on all sides, 
rendering the scene, although of death and carnage, 



AND HOW TREATED. 21 

one of the grandest sublimity. It was now about ten 
o'clock, yet by the light of the full moon, Avhich looked 
calmly down on the bloody scene, we were able to dis- 
cover that the enemy had began to waver and fall 
back, unable to contend longer against the terrible fire 
our men were pouring with fearful destruction into 
their ranks. In a short time all was quiet, and the 
still air of night, that but a few moments before re- 
sounded with the roar of artillery and musketry, was 
only broken by the lonely notes of the whip-poor-will, 
as they came from his secluded spot in the surrounding 
forest. And the Provisional Brigade was victorious 
on two bloody fields in one day. But we lost in killed 
and wounded some brave and valuable men; among 
the number who fell in this engagement, was the brave 
and gallant young adjutant of the Eightieth Illinois, 
Lieutenant J. C Jones. 

The enemy in this action had their whole force en- 
gaged, yet, by the skillful maneuvering of our little 
brigade, we met and repulsed them at every point. To 
this, and the bravery and determination of our men, 
we alone can ascribe our success in meeting and driving 
back discomfitted numbers, so much our superior, and 
having at their command several heavy field pieces. 
Our artillery consisted only of two small mountain 
howitzers, and the two pieces taken from Forrest in 
the morning; for the latter we had but a small quan- 
tity of ammunition, the caisons being nearly empty 
when captured ; they were, therefore, soon of no ser- 
vice, and were ordered by the Colonel to be spiked, 
and the carriages cut down. 

CAPTURE OF DR. KING. 

From the earliest moments of ^he above bloody 



28 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

scene, Dr. Peck, Medical Director, and his assistants, 
were active in collecting and caring for our wounded; 
but before this arduous, yet humane duty, was accom- 
plished, our command was in motion — in fact had 
advanced some considerable distance — and a rebel regi- 
ment had already formed and started in pursuit; con- 
sequently to rejoin the brigade, Drs. Peck and King, 
who, regardless of personal safety, still remained with 
our wounded, had to pass along the full length of this 
regiment, which they did with safety and without 
creating any suspicion; but after passing the head of 
the column, it occurred to the "rebs'^ that they were 
"real live Yankees," and the foremost of the party 
shouted several times at the top of his voice for them 
to halt, and started with a half dozen comrades in pur- 
suit, the whole party discharging their carbines after 
the flying disciples of ^sculapius fortunately without 
eflfect, though being well mounted they soon overtook" 
Dr. Xing, whom they made a prisoner. Dr. Peck, 
mounted on his favorite little roan, was by this time 
considerably advanced, consequently was able to escape, 
and soon rejoined the command. 

AMBUSHING THE ENEMY. 

Colonel Streight, anticipating an advance of Forrest's 
forces, soon as it was known to them that we were 
moving, directed Colonel Hathaway, with his regiment, 
(Seventy-Third Indiana,) to lay concealed in the heavy 
timber near by, for the purpose of ambushing them in 
case of an immediate advance. But a few moments 
elapsed before the enemy's column was discovered ap- 
proaching; and soon their advance battalion came up 
unsuspectingly within forty yards of our concealed 



AND HOW TREATED. 29 

regiment, which at that instant poured a full volley of 
musketry into their ranks, sending* them back, pell 
mell, in the greatest consternation and disorder, with 
the full conviction, no doubt, that every tree for miles 
around concealed a Yankee soldier with a musket 
charged to the muzzle. But relying on the advantage 
of being in their own country, consequently acquainted 
with every road and by-path, also conscious of their 
superior numbers, they soon rallied, and attacked us 
again about two o'clock in the morning, when Colonel 
Streight again resolved to ambush them ; which proved 
so successful, and gave them such a taste of Yankee 
courage and skill, that we had no further annoyance 
until about eleven o'clock next day, when our pickets 
were attacked just as we were leaving Blountsville, 
where we had halted to feed our animals and refresh 
the exhausted and fatigued men, who had not had a 
moments rest for two days and nights. 



CHAPTER II 



BURNING BLACK CREEK BRIDGE. 

On the morning of May 2nd we crossed Black Creek, 
near Gadsend, Alabama, on a fine wooden bridge, 
which was afterwards burned by our rear guard. This, 
it was thought, would delay Forrest's forces long 
enough to enable us to reach Rome, Georgia, before 
he could again overtake us, as the stream was very 
deep and seemed to be unfordable. But among a lot 
of prisoners captured by us in the morning, and pa- 
roled, was a young man by the name of Sansom, who, 
soon as set at liberty, made his way direct to the pur- 
suing force of General Forrest, and piloted that officer 
and his command to a ford where the Avhole force soon 
crossed and started again in pursuit of our brigade. 
From this incident the rebels manufactured the follow- 
ing bit of r'omance: 

"General Forrest had been pursuing the enemy all 
day, and was close upon their heels, when the pursuit 
was effectually checked by the destruction by the en- 
emy of a bridge over a deep creek, which, for the time, 
separated pursuer and pursued. The country was ex- 
ceedingly wild and rugged, and the banks of the creek 
too steep for passage on horseback. General Forrest 
rode up to a modest little farm house on the road side, 

(30^ 



AND HOW TREATED. 31 

and seeing a young maiden standing upon the little 
stoop in front of the dwelling, he accosted her, and in- 
quired if there was any ford or passage for his men 
across the creek above or below the destroyed bridge. 
The young girl proceeded to direct him, with animated 
gesture, and cheeks flushed with excitement, and al 
most breathless in her eagerness to aid the noble cause 
of the gaHant Confederate General. 

"It was a scene for a painter. The Southern girl, 
her cheeks glowing and her bright eyes flashing, while 
her mother, attracted by the colloquy, stood holding 
the door, and gazing upon the cavalcade over her ven- 
erable spectacles, the cavalry chieftain resting his legs 
carelessly over the saddle-pommel, his stafl" drawn up 
around him, and his weather-worn veterans scattered 
in groups about the road, and some of them actually 
nodding in their saddles from excessive fatigue. After 
some further inquiry, General Forrest asked the young 
lady if she would not mount behind him and show him 
the way to the ford. She hesitated, and turned to her 
mother an inquiring look. The mother, with a deli- 
cacy becoming a prudent parent, rather seemed to 
object to her going with the soldiers. 

" 'Mother,' she said, ^I am not afraid to trust myself 
with as brave a man as General Forrest.' 

" 'But, my dear, folks will talk about you.' 

" 'Let them talk,' responded the heroic girl, 'I must 
go.' And with that she lightly sprang upon the roots 
of a fallen tree, Forrest drew his mettled charger near 
her, she grasped the hero fearlessly about the w'aist 
and sprung up behind him, and away they went — over 
brake and bramble, through the glade, and on towards 
the ford. The route was a difiicult one, even for as 
experienced a rider as Forrest, but his fair young com- 



32 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

panion and guide held her seat like an experienced 
horsewoman, and without the slightest evidence of 
fear. At length they drew near to the ford. Upon 
the high ridge above, the quick eye of Forrest descried 
the Yankee sharpshooters, dodging from tree to tree, 
♦md pretty soon an angry minnie whistled by his ear. 

"'What was that, General Forrest?' asked the 
maiden. 

" * Bullets,' he replied; *are you afraid?' 

She replied in the negative, and they proceeded on. 
At length it became necessary, from the density of the 
undergrowth and snags, to dismount, and Forrest 
hitched his horse, and the girl preceded him, leading 
the way herself — remarking that the Yankees would 
not fire upon her, and they might fire if he went first. 
To this Forrest objected, not wishing to screen himself 
behind the brave girl; and, taking the lead himself, 
the two proceeded on to the ford under the fire of the 
Yankee rear guard. Having discovered the route he 
returned, brought up his axemen and cleared out a 
road, and safely crossed his whole column. 

"Upon taking leave of his fair young guide, the 
General asked if there was anything he might do for 
her in return for her invaluable services. She told him 
that the Yankees on ahead had her brother prisoner, 
and if General Forrest would only release him she 
should be more than repaid. The General took out 
his watch, and examined it. It was just &ve minutes 
to eleven. ' To-morrow,' he said, 'at five minutes to 
eleven o'clock, your brother shall be returned to you.' 
And so the sequel proved. Streight, with his whole 
command, was captured at ten the next morning. 
Young Sansom was released, and dispatched on the 
fleetest horse in the command to return to his heroic 



AND HOW TREATED. 33 

sister, whose courage and presence of mind had con- 
tributed so much to the success of one of the most 
remarkable cavalry pursuits and captures known in 
the world's history." 

The true version of this story is, as near as possible, 
as follows: Whenever we captured any prisoners, they 
were immediately paroled, and not taken along with 
the command any distance; especially not forty or fifty 
miles, as this rebel romance would indicate. And the 
young Confederate soldier, Sansora, was with General 
Forrest when our command surrendered, and notwith- 
standing his solemn oath not to aid or comfort in any 
manner whatever the enemies of the United States, 
was fully armed and equipped, and boasted that it was 
the bullet shot from his gun that killed the noble 
Hathaway. 

BATTLE OF BLUNT'S FARM. 

Soon after crossing Black Creek, we passed through 
the town of Gadsend, where we destroyed a quantity 
of rebel stores, and captured some prisoners. We then 
proceeded on to Blunt's plantation, where we halted 
for the purpose of giving the men an opportunity of 
preparing a hasty meal for themselves and to feed their 
animals. But the anticipated pleasure of a cup of 
steaming coffee, which the Union soldier considers one 
of his indispensables, was soon dispelled by the report 
of musketry in the direction of our picket line. Th , 
command was immediately given to prepare for action, 
and almost instantly every man in the Provisional 
Brigade seized his gun, and was marching out bravely 
and defiantly to engage once more the vastly superior 
force of the enemy, with whom we had contended sue- 
(3) 



34 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

cessfully for three days, and had completely routed and 
defeated in two regular pitched battles. Colonel Hath- 
away, with his regiment, was directed to the front and 
center, to support our two howitzers, which were doing 
such fearful execution in the ranks of the enemy, that 
they seemed to have resolved to capture them if possi- 
»le, regardless of the cost in blood. Their efforts, how- 
ever, w^ere fruitless, for although nearly every gunner 
and man connected with the two pieces was either 
killed or wounded. Colonel Hathaway so determinedly 
maintained his position that the enemy recoiled in the 
greatest confusion, our men pouring a perfect hail of 
lead into his retreating columns. This action lasted 
for nearly three hours, the enemy charging our lines 
from right to left repeatedly, but was as often repulsed, 
with severe loss, by our gallant regiments. "When the 
Bun set on that tranquil evening, sinking slowly down 
behind the forest, unstirred by the least breath of wind, 
the sharp and bloody struggle was decided. The ene- 
my was retreating badly hurt; his dead men and 
horses strewing their line of retreat. 

Our heroes won the day by hard and desperate 
fighting, but lost in the struggle one of the most valiant 
hearts that ever beat. He w^as in the performance of 
his duty, riding along his skirmish hne, waving his 
hat and cheering his men on, when he received a pul- 
monary wound from a minnie ball, cutting a large 
blood vessel, from which he died almost instantly. 
And the noble, the chivalric, the gallant Hathaway, 
was no more. He fell, the noblest of sacrifices on the 
altar of his country, to whose glorious service he had 
dedicated his life. Thus passed away a noble, lofty 
soul; thus ended a career full of arduous, glorious, and 
splendid achievements. He was ever with that part 



AND HOW TREATED. 35 

of his regiment which was under the hottest fire, and 
when the enemy shifted their fire to other portions, he 
proceeded thither and directed the movements of each 
company in person. His men will remember how 
cheering and inspiring was his presence with them — 
how his coolness steadied them in the most exciting 
moments — and his brave, cheerful voice, was the her- 
ald of success. His character was so frank, and open, 
and beautiful — his bearing so modest and full of sim- 
plicity, that he conciliated all hearts, and made every 
one who met him his friend. 

Thus modest, brave, loving and beloved — the famous 
soldier, the charming companion, he was called away 
from the scenes of his triumphs and glory, to a brighter 
world, where neither war nor rumors of war ever come, 
and wounds, and pain, and sufiering are unknown; 
where 

" Malice domestic, foreign levy, nothing 
Can touch him further ! " 

PROSPECTS OP SUCCESS. 

Affairs were now rapidly approaching a crisis ; every 
one felt that the next twenty-four hours would decide 
the fate of our expedition. We were now within 
sixty miles of Rome, the point at which we de- 
signed crossing the Coosa river; and if we could reach 
that place before a force could be thrown in to check 
our further advance, complete success would be inevi- 
table; -for once on the opposite side of the river, and 
the bridge destroyed after us, the pursuit of Forrest 
would be eff'ectually checked, and we would then have 
ample time to recruit the exhausted energies of our 
men and animals; besides, if necessary we could soon 



86 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

obtain an entire fresh supply of the latter; and could 
then either fight or decline battle at our own option. 
On the contrary, should there be a force collected at 
Rome sufficient to prevent us crossing the bridge, 
there would be no alternative left us but to surrender, 
the exhausted condition of our men and animals ren- 
dering escape by any route, strategy, or valor in battle, 
an impossibility. To guard against the above contin- 
gency. Captain Russell, of the Fifty-First Indiana, was 
ordered with two hundred picked men, mounted on 
our best horses, to proceed with the greatest dispatch 
to Rome and take possession of the river bridge, rail- 
road stock, and telegraph lines, before the forces there 
could make preparation for defence, or troops be 
brought from Atlanta and other points on the railroad, 
in case they were advised by couriers from General 
Forrest, or otherwise, of the advance of our expedi- 
tion. 

After some active demonstrations, and stragetic 
movements, designed to impress the enemy with the 
belief that we were preparing for a renewal of the con- 
test at the earliest dawn of day, the balance of the 
command moved on as fast as the fatigued condition 
of our animals would permit. 

LOSE OUR ROUTE. 

Strong hopes were now entertained of success, and 
would, no doubt, have been realized, had not our guide 
misled us in regard to the ford by which to cross the 
Chattoogee river. In justice to him, however, it is but 
proper to remark, that he was a true and faithful man, 
and this, the only instance in which he seemed at fault; 
but this irreparable mistake took us at least twelve 



AND HOW TREATED. S7 

miles out of our direct course, besides otherwise delay- 
ing us. 

We marched all this night, making four consecutive 
days and nights in the saddle, except when fighting or 
feeding our animals. 

It was during this, our last night's march, that one 
of our scouting parties destroyed the Round Mountain 
Iron Works, situated in the Cherokee Valley, about 
thirty miles from Rome. These works were, at the 
time, largely engaged manufacturing ordnance and 
material for the rebel army, and employed nearly one 
thousand hands. 



Our vanguard, consisting of two hundred men, under 
command of Captain Milton Russell, of the Fifty -First 
Indiana, arrived in the vicinity of Rome about eight 
o'clock next morning after the battle of Blunt's Farm, at 
least four hours later than it was expected they would 
reach that point, but their animals were so completely 
exhausted that it had been impossible for them to get 
there sooner, as they had rode all night at the utmost 
speed of their jaded horses. By this time the city was 
full of armed men. General Forrest's courier (a citizen 
of Gadsend) having arrived six hours previous, gave 
the first intelligence of our near approach, so rapidly 
and dexterously had our movements been executed. 
But, in this short time, a large number of troops had 
been hurried from Atlanta, Kingston and Dalton ; be- 
sides, the citizens and home-guards for miles around, 
had been collected and put under arms, several pieces 
of artillery had also been put in position commanding 
the river bridge and every avenue by which the city 



S8 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

could be approached. The floor of the bridge was torn 
up and piled with straw and turpentine, ready to ignite, 
in case an attempt was made to force a crossing. The 
following extract from the Rome Courier, of the Tues- 
day morning following, will, I hope, satisfy the incred- 
ulous of the nature and extent of the preparations made 
or our reception. 

The Courier says : 

" Sunday morning last, opened at half-past two o'clock 
A. M., with an alarm. Mr. John H. Wisdam, a resi- 
dent of Gadsend, Alabama, and a former resident of 
this city, reached here, after riding with hot haste for 
eleven hours, and gave information that the enemy 
were at Gadsend when he left, and were bound for 
Rome. Preparations were begun with dispatch, and 
by seven o'clock in the morning, our soldiery and citi- 
zens were prepared to give them a warm reception. 
Several pieces of artillery were placed in position com- 
manding the road and river bridge. Cotton barricades 
were erected at all the defiles near the city, videttes 
sent out to watch the enemy's approach. Everything 
was got in readiness for determined resistance. Dur- 
ing the morning several couriers arrived with dispatches 
from General Forrest, urging our commander here to 
hold them at bay a few hours if possible, and at all 
hazards. 

" About half-past eight o'clock A. M., a small body 
of the enemy's advance (about two hundred) reached 
the environs of the city; and were actually bold enough 
to dismount and feed their horses in sight of the city. 
They picked up all the horses and mules in the neigh- 
borhood, took some of our soldiers and citizens pris- 
oners, and reconnoitered the defences of the city." 

Among the prisoners referred to in the above extract, 



AND HOW TREATED. 3» 

was a rebel mail carrier; he was met on the road by 
Captain Eussell's men, when within a few miles of 
Home. He at first declined accompanying our "boys" 
who were going in the direction from whence he just 
came, but the Captain assured him that the "Yan- 
kees" were but a short distance behind, and that if he 
continued his route, he would undoubtedly fall into 
their hands. It needed no further argument to induce 
him to " change front " and proceed with our men in 
the direction of Rome. 

Whether the Captain will consider it a compliment 
or otherwise, 1 will state that the rebel "post-boy" 
supposed he was one of Forrest's Colonels, consequently 
was very familiar and talkative, and furnished him with 
much valuable information concerning the numbers and 
disposition of the troops and defences of the city. It 
is difficult to imagine his surprise and consternation 
when our men were attacked by the rebel pickets sent 
out from Rome — he turned instantly pale as a corpse, 
and tremblingly gasped that he "guessed the Yankees 
had already got him." On his arrival in the vicinity 
of Rome, Captain Russell immediately reconnoitered 
its defences and military strength, which were, indeed, 
quite formidable, yet notwithstanding the Captain and 
his gallant " two hundred " would have attempted to 
enter its limits but for the condition of the river bridge 
as before stated. The excitement and panic created 
throughout all this portion of Dixie by our unexpected 
appearance, was truly diverting. Many of the cowardly 
traitors, no doubt, really thought that the day of retri 
bution had come. 

The "Atlanta Confederacy" of Monday morning, 
May 4th, says: 

" Ye iterday (Sunday) morning about three o'clock, 



40 THE PRISONER OF WAK, 

Colonel Lee received a dispatch from Major Rawlins, 
stating that the Yankees were at Gadsend on the Coosa 
river, and were bound for Rome ; he immediately got 
in readiness, and with his own regiment and all that 
remained of the provost guards, and some others, took 
the train at five o'clock A. M., intending to go to the 
'lefense of that place, or any other point where his pres- 
ence might be needed." 

The same paper also contains the following letter 
from conductor Smith, on the Rome Railroad, to a Mr. 
Still well : 

Kingston, May M, 1863. 
"Mr. C. H. Stillwell — Bear Sir: I learned this 
morning that the Yankees were below Rome, and that 
our men needed reinforcements. I then ran the train 
to Rome from this place to carry about seven hundred 
men, and have just returned, having learned the follow- 
ing particulars : General Forrest has overtaken the 
enemy at Gaylesville, Cherokee county, Alabama, about 
twenty miles west of Rome, and the courier stated that 
an engagement had taken place. The courier left be- 
fore the fight closed, therefore we can't tell the result. 
I have a dispatch from General Forrest to General 
Bragg, asking for a force to be sent to Rome to check 
them. Their advance came within eight miles of Rome 
this morning, and drove in our pickets. They num- 
bered two hundred. Their whole force is about fifteen 
hundred. We have the bridges guarded, and feel con- 
fident of our ability to hold them. Mrs. Stillwell is at 
Oliver's. The bullets flew thick around your house, 
but your family are all safe. We do not fear any at- 
tack between here and Rome. The enemy burnt No- 



AND HOW TREATED. ^ 

ble's Iron Works. We need more men. If Forrest 
fails to check them, then good by to Rome. 
"Yours, Eespectfully, 

"C. A. SMITH, 
" Conductor of the Rome Bailroad" 

SURRENDER TO GENERAL FORREST. 

Notwithstanding the chastisement we gave the enemy 
the previous evening, in the engagement at Blunt's 
Farm, and the intimidation caused by our subsequent 
demonstrations, the delay occasioned by our guide's 
mistake, enabled him to overtake us about nine o'clock 
next morning, (Sunday, May 3d,) near Gaylesville, Al- 
abama, where we had halted to feed our animals. 

They soon attacked us, and after some slight skirm- 
ishing, General Forrest sent a flag of truce to Colonel 
Streight, demanding a surrender. The Colonel held a 
consultation with the regimental commanders, in which 
our situation and chances of success were fully can- 
vassed. We had but a small quantity of artillery am- 
munition, and the few rounds of rifle and musket car- 
tridges on hands, were unfit for service. The enemy 
had a brigade on our left endeavoring to flank us, and 
was, in fact, at this time, nearer Rome than we were. 
Our men were completely exhausted, having had no 
rest for four days and nights. While General Forrest, 
having the advantage of good horses, had been able to 
rest his command, at least half of each night, his sol 
diers were, therefore, fresh and vigorous compared with 
the fatigued and worn-out condition of both our men 
and animals. Captain Russell, with the advance of 
two hundred men, as has already been shown, was un- 
able to cross the river at Rome. It was evident that 



42 THE PRISONER OF WAR. 

we had now to contend with a superior force, both in 
front and rear. All circumstances taken into consid- 
eration, our situation seemed hopeless. It was, there- 
fore, decided to surrender on the following terms : 
Each regiment to retain its colors, and the officers and 
men their private property, including the side arms of 
he former. These terms were agreed to by General 
Forrest. Our brigade was then drawn up in line, our 
arms stacked, and we were prisoners of war. 



CHAPTER III 



ARRIVE AT ROME. 



The same day that we were made prisoners we were 
marched under guard to Rome. A considerable change 
in the programme we had proposed following, in regard 
to our entry of that place. But I trust the preceding 
chapters are sufficient evidence that the alteration was 
no fault of ours. 

The citizens of the place gave unmistakable proof of 
their joy to see us; but had we entered their town as 
we expected to have done, I very much doubt if the 
ladies would have. thronged the streets with gay dresses, 
gaudy ribbons, and smiling faces, to greet us. At least 
I am informed that there was no demonstration of joy, 
when the Union troops entered the town a year after- 
wards, as conquerors. 

We remained in Rome until Tuesday morning, May 
5th, under orders of General Forrest, who, to his credit 
be it said, furnished us with sufficient rations for our 
subsistence, also with comfortable quarters. Though 
here, as in every other Southern city through which 
we passed, every insult that a low, malignant, unprin- 
cipled and debased spirit could invent, was heaped 
upon us by the citizens, who crowded around the cars 

(43) 



44 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

to express their contempt for "Yankees," and to boast 
of the superiority and nobleness of the chivalric South- 
erner. 

But even then, during the brightest days of rebel- 
lion, unmistakable evidence of loyal sentiment was 
everywhere visible, but so intimidated by Jeff Davis' 
bayonets, that it dare not openly manifest itself. 
Though at some points on our route, when unnoticed 
by the guard, the ladies would present some of our 
officers with choice boquets, whose pressed and faded 
leaves they still retain as tributes of Southern devotion 
to the Union, and sympathy for those who have battled 
for the "glorious flag." 

ARRIVAL AT LIBBY PRISON. 

The officers of our command arrived at Kichmond 
and were placed in the Libby Prison on the sixteenth 
day of May. We were informed by the rebel officials, 
that we would be detained there a few days, perhaps 
three or four, awaiting the arrival of a flag of truce 
boat from Fortress Monroe to convey us ISTorth ; we 
were indeed most gloomy. Had we then known that 
we should have to remain within the gloomy walls of 
"Libby" for twelve long, tedious and weary months, 
never for once breathing the pure air of heaven, and 
without a glimpse of bright sunshine or blue sky, ex- 
cept through the grated bars of the narrow windows, 
it is impossible to conjecture the depressing influence 
the information would have had upon our spirits. 'Tis 
well indeed for our race that the events of the future 
are beyond the fathom of human ken. 

On the fifth day of our incarceration in Libby, the 
anxiously looked for boat arrived from Fortress Mon- 



AND HOW TREATED. ^5 

roe, at City Point. Our hearts beat joyfully at the 
prospect of liberty, and of once more enjoying the pro- 
tecting folds of our much loved flag. But we were 
doomed to bitter disappointment. Other prisoners, 
captured after we were, were sent away in return for 
the rebel prisoners brought up by our Commissioner 
and we were informed that we would be exchanged 
when the next boat arrived. This was some consola- 
tion. Though we were of course justly indignant that 
we were not sent off on the first boat, as, according to 
the rules of the cartel, prisoners were always exchanged 
in the order of their capture. 

At the appointed time, another boat arrived from 
Fortress Monroe, with a sufficient number of prisoners 
to exchange for our entire command ; but our Com- 
missioner was informed by the rebel authorities that 
we would not be given up ; but that we would be 
delivered to the Governor of Alabama, to be dealt 
with according to the laws of that State for inci- 
ting servile insurrection, alleging that during our ex- 
pedition we had armed and pressed negro slaves into 
the military service of the United States. This was a 
gross fabrication, with no foundation in truth; in fact 
the charge was never afterwards officially brought 
against us. 

In consequence of this act of the rebel authorities, 
all exchanges of prisoners at once ceased, ^ew and 
intricate questions, including the exchange of negro 
soldiers, and their white officers, were from time 
to time brought up for negotiation. The length of 
time thus consumed is well known; days, weeks and 
months passed wearily and tediously away, but brought 
us no relief. 

In the meantime the Libby was becoming daily mora 



46 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

populous; prisoners were being brought in from every 
section — reverses seemed to be overtaking our arms in 
every quarter — rebel cannon were planted in sight of 
the dome of our E'ational Capitol; the columns of Lee 
were rapidly penetrating the great State of Pennsyl- 
vania; Vicksburg seemed impregnable to all the force 
fchat could be brought against it, and defiant of all the 
skill that military science could devise; Rosecrans ap- 
peared to be unable to move his army, Bragg still 
maintaining a strong position in his front, occupying 
nearly as much of the territory of Tennessee as before 
the hard fought battle of Murfreesboro'. General 
Morgan had crossed the Ohio river with a large cavalry 
force, and was spreading devastation and ruin through 
the States of Indiana and Ohio, marching his column 
almost in sight of our great Western Metropolis, the 
beautiful city of Cincinnati. Rebellion, for the time, 
seemed to triumph over every obstacle. Thus to the 
deprivations, inhuman treatment, and indignities to 
which we were subjected, as prisoners of a semi-bar- 
barous foe, was added torturing anxiety for the fate of 
our country, and the honor of the old flag, whose folds 
we had flung to the breeze on many bloody fields. 

But, thank God ! the dark clouds then lowering over 
our entire country, ready to burst forth in their terri- 
ble fury, and destroy at once the noble fabric of Con- 
stitutional liberty, only aroused the patriot hearts of 
our country's sons to a fall realization of the dangers 
of the approaching storm ; and the heights of Gettys- 
burg attest how well and nobly they met its first and 
most terrific outbreak. 

Since then the sun of freedom, like the orb of day 
after a summer's shower, has shone brighter and 
clearer. Victory has crowned our arms on almost 



AND HOW TREATED. 47 

every field. And now, not an armed body of rebels 
can be found in any State of the Union. Nor does a 
single Union soldier longer remain in the rebel prisons 
of the South. 

LIBBY PRISON. 

} 

Libby Prison, the noted bastile of the short-lived 
military despotism of Jeff Davis, is situated on the 
south-east corner of Carey and Eighteenth streets. It 
stands within a few yards of the Lynchburg canal, and 
in fall view of the rapid waters of the James. The 
building is three stories high, one hundred and sixty- 
five feet front, and one hundred and five feet deep. 
The ground floor is separated into several apart- 
ments, in one of which is the prisoners' hospital; the 
others are used by the rebel Commissary Department, 
and as offices for the officials connected with the prison. 
The second and third floors were each divided into 
three rooms, one hundred and -B.ve feet long by forty- 
five feet wide. At each end of these rooms are ^ve 
windows, grated with substantial wrought iron bars, 
one inch and a half in diameter. These, although 
they answered very well to keep us in, did not keep 
out the chilling blast of winter. 

In the narrow limits of these six rooms were con- 
fined for many months nearly eleven hundred United 
States officers, prisoners of war. This included all 
our room for cooking, eating, washing, bathing anc^ 
sleeping. ! 

UNION LADIES INSULTED. 

The 23rd day of June the officers of General Milroy's 



48 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

command, captured at Winchester, arrived at Libby. 
The wives of a number of these officers were with their 
husbands at the above place at the time of their cap- 
ture. The ladies desired to go home, and begged per- 
mission of the rebel authorities to do so, but the privi- 
lege was not granted ; and they were ruthlessly dragged 
by the rebel soldiery, by order of General Ewell, to the 
city of Richmond, and cast into a filthy military prison, 
where they were the victims of the grossest insults and 
abuses from the rebel officials having them in charge. 

The Richmond Examiner, a paper that howled louder 
than any other in the South, in condemnation of Gen- 
eral Butler's order in regard to the women of IS'ew 
Orleans, the next morning after their arrival at Rich- 
mond, contained the following article : 

"A Precious Gang. — There arrived on yesterday a 
gang of depraved women from Winchester, where they 
had been established by Milroy and his command, to 
render more complete the unlicensed character of the 
military government they had established in that un- 
fortunate place. They numbered eighteen in all. 
They have been furnished with appropriate quarters 
in the Eastern District Military Prison." 

Chivalric editor, while perusing these lines did no 
blush of shame tingle your cheek? Did no thought 
arise in your mind of a wife, mother or sister, that 
might some time be unprotected, and subject to the 
insults of some dastardly villain of your own stamp? 
Noble editor! you should indeed boast of the "high- 
toned, courteous, chivalrous and gallant gentlemen of 
the South." 

FOURTH OF JULY IN LIBBY. 

For some days previous to the anniversary of our 



AND HOW TREATED. 49 

National Independence, the prisoners confined in Libby 
were actively engaged in preparations for a grand cel- 
ebration on that day. Although we might celebrate 
St. Patrick's day or Christmas without a flag, we could 
not think of a jubilee on the Fourth of July \Yithout 
the stars and stripes. But how to get them seemed to 
be a question which no one could solve. At length a 
meeting was called to take the matter into considera- 
tion. The patriotic and zealous promptly assembled, 
suggestions and plans were advanced and canvassed, 
but all seemed impracticable. At length a Connecticut 
officer of a fertile brain, observing that some of the 
prisoners wore red flannel, and others what had once 
been white cotton, or linen, proposed that each offi- 
cer contribute a stripe from the lower extremity of 
his shirt. An ensign of the navy was also required to 
furnish from the same garment a square for the blue 
field. The proposition was acceded to with shouts and 
cheers. Those that were not called on to contribute 
material were selected as the manufacturers. By the 
fourth we had a respectable looking flag, and were 
prouder of it than if it had been made anywhere else, 
or under any other circumstances, of the finest silk. 
But alas! poor flag, like your creators, you were 
doomed to be captured! 

Our celebration exercises commenced. Our flag, 
which until now had been closely concealed from the 
eyes of rebel officials, was brought to light, and amid 
cheers and load huzzas, suspended from one of the 
beams in the "Upper West Room." The proper offi- 
cers were nominated. Lieutenant Colonel Irvine 
made a few patriotic remarks, appropriate for the 
occasion. Col. Streight then took the stand be- 
neath our flag, and was proceeding to address us, 

(4:) 



50 THE PRISONER OF WAR. 

when we were interrupted by the appearance of 
one of the prison officials, inquiring what we were at. 
His eye soon caught sight of our stars and stripes; 
he at once divined the object of the assemblage, and 
rudely ordered us to take that "hateful rag" down, 
informing us at the same time that Fourth of July 
elebrations were not tolerated in the land of ''Dixie." 
'No one seemed inclined to obey his order in regard to 
taking down the flag, and he w^as permitted to perform 
the gallant act himself. 

Major T. P. Turner considered it quite a trophy, and 
was anxious to know how we got it in prison. He 
afterwards informed one of our officers that he was 
going to present it to one of his lady friends, as a relic 
of the war, and w^ould like to have its full history. 

Thus ended our Fourth of July celebration in Libby. 
From w^hich it will be seen that Southern people are 
so thoroughly imbued with hatred for the Government 
of the United States, and everything pertaining thereto, 
that they sacrilegiously curse the day held sacred by 
every American citizen. 



CHAPTER IV 



INCREASING BARBARITIES. 

As the number of prisoners increased in Libby, our 
rations decreased in quantity, and deteriorated in qual- 
ity, until the amount furnished us by the rebel com- 
missariat was not actually sufficient to sustain life and 
health. 

The continued and increasing indignities to which 
we were subjected, the insufficient amount of food fur- 
nished us, and the general inhuman treatment we re- 
ceived at the hands of those having us in charge, were 
acts so inhuman and unparralleled in the history of 
civilized warfare, that it was thought impossible that 
our condition was known to those chief in authority. 
Colonel Streight, therefore, on behalf of himself and 
fellow prisoners, addressed the following most bold 
and scathing letter to the rebel Secretary of War, de- 
manding of that functionary, for himself and fellow 
prisoners, such treatment as the usages of civilized 
warfare accords to prisoners of war: 

LiBBY Prison, Eichmgnd, Ya., 
August Slsf, 1863. 
Hon. James A. Seddon, 

Secretary of War: 
Sir: — I take the libertj^ of addressing you on behalf 



52 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

of myself and fellow prisoners, in relation to our situa- 
tion. 

About six hundred of as are confined here, with an 
average space of about twenty-eight square feet each, 
which includes our room for cooking, eating, washing, 
bathing, and sleeping. Our rations consist, as nearly 
as I can judge as to quantity, of about one-fourth 
pound of poor fresh beef, one-half pound of bread, and 
one-half gill of rice or black peas, for each man per 
day. This amount has been found insufficient to sus- 
tain life and heahh in our close prison confinement. 

Scorbutic diseases have already appeared, proving 
fatal in one instance, (Major Morris,) and impairing 
seriously, if not permanently, the health of many 
others. 

Our sanitary condition would have been much worse 
than it now is, but for the large purchases of vegeta- 
bles and other provisions, amounting to nearly one 
thousand dollars per day, which we have been allowed 
to make. But as nearly all our money was taken from 
us when we entered the prison, the daily expenditure 
of this large sum has at length about exhausted what 
was left us. We have also been notified that we would 
not be allowed to receive any portion of the money 
taken from ns here, nor to receive such sums as have been 
sent to us from hortie since our imprisonment; though 
before writing for these monies, we were expressly as- 
sured by your officers having us in charge that we 
would be allowed to receive them. 
' It will be perceived from the above statement, that 
our immediate prospective condition is, to say the least, 
that of semi-starvation. The rations furnished by your 
Government, may be as good, and as much as it can 
afibrd under the circumstances, but in that case it does 



AND HOW TREATED. 53 

seem that we should be allowed to purchase the neces- 
sary amount to sustain us. It can not possibly be that 
it is intended to reduce to a famishing condition six 
hundred prisoners of war. Humanity can not contem- 
plate such a thing without feelings of the deepest hor- 
ror. Saying nothing of our rights as prisoners of war, 
even criminals, guilty of the blackest crimes, are not, 
among civilized people, confined for any length of time 
on insufficient food. 

I wish further to state to you, that previous to my 
surrender, I made a stipulation with General Forrest, 
to whom I surrendered, that all private property, in- 
cluding money, belonging to my officers and men, 
should be respected. This stipulation, iu the hand- 
writing of General Forrest, over his own signature, is 
now in the hands of General Winder, having been 
taken from me here. Notwithstanding this, my offi- 
cers (ninety-five in number) have been notified with 
the balance, that their money has been turned over to 
Confederate authorities. 

For the purpose of avoiding further loss of money, 
or misunderstanding, and if possible to obtain relief 
from the unhappy situation in which we are placed, 
you are most respectfully requested to state in your an- 
swer to this communication, the manner in which we 
will be allowed to obtain the necessary food and cloth- 
ing to render us comfortable. 

I have the honor to be. Sir, 

Your most obedient servant, 

A. D. STREIGHT, 
Colonel of Fifty- First Indiana Volunteers. 

PERFIDY OP UNION OFFICERS. 

The above secured to us, for a short time, an in- 



64 THE PKISONER OF WAR, 

creased amount of rations, and mitigated, in a great de- 
gree, the barbarous treatment and indignities to which 
we had hitherto been subject. 

Among the six hundred Union officers confined at 
this time in Libby, there were a few who seemed to be 
in the wrong army. They were, at all times, and in 
every conceivable manner, courting the favor of the 
rebel authorities, and allowed their evil passions to 
carry them so far that they got up a counter statement 
to the above communication of Colonel Streight's for 
which they were granted many privileges and favors 
not enjoyed by the other prisoners of war. 

In their statements of the rations furnished, thev 
make out a bill of fare nearly as varied as would be 
found at a first-class hotel. 

They succeeded in inducing the two officers acting 
as commissaries for their fellow-prisoners, to mSRe^iese 
vouchers of kind treatment and bounteous fare ; there- 
fore, under the circumstances which it was done, they 
received no part of the condemnation attached to the 
names of the two officers of high rank who drew up 
and indorsed the statements, consequently their names 
are not given in connection with the communications 
which appear below. 

Libby Prison, First Officers' Quarters, 
A2oril 18th, 1863. 
Captain : Having learned that a communication has 
been sent to the Secretary of War by Colonel Streight, 
of the Fifty-First Indiana Volunteers, U. S. A., com- 
plaining of the quantity of food furnished to the occu- 
pants of this floor of the Libby Prison, I wish to make 
the following statement, in pure justice to you and 
your commissary W. Burnham, whose eflbrts in our 



AND HOW TREATED. 55 

behalf deserves our gratitude and thanks, also to re- 
lieve any impressions on your mind that I or the mass 
of my fellow-prisoners participate in the feeling of dis- 
satisfaction and complaint evinced in the communica- 
tion above referred to — Colonel Streight being resident 
on this floor. For the last three days I have witnessed 
the weighing of 159 pounds of beef and 236 pounds of 
bread each day ; also rations of vinegar, soap, rice or 
beans. Our number is two hundred and ninety-nine, 
making the ration of beef one-half pound, and bread 
one pound and two ounces to each man. In my knowl- 
edge, about the same quantity and quality of food has 
been dispensed to us for the last two months. In con- 
clusion, permit me to bear testimony of the kind and 
courteous treatment that we have received at the hands 
of the officers connected with the prison. 

[Signed] jH*^>{«>k^*>k 

To Captain J. Warner, 
A. Q. 31. C. S. Military Prison. 

LiBBY Prison, Second Officers' Quarters, 
September ISth, 1863. 
Cx\ptain : At the request of your urbane and atten- 
tive commissary W. Burnham, I cheerfully make the 
following statement: The number of prisoners occu- 
pying this floor, is two hundred and fifty-four; there 
has been issued to us 127 pounds of beef and 285 
pounds of bread, which has all been weighed in my 
presence, being an allowance of one-half pound beef 
and one pound and two ounces of bread to each man; 
also rations of vinegar, candles, soap, salt, rice and 
beans. These articles are of good quality, and to the 
best of my belief about the same quantity and quality 
as we 'lave been receiving for the last two months. 



56 

I will also here state, that my knowledge of the feel- 
ings of my fellow-prisoners, warrants me in saying that 
a general sentiment of satisfaction is entertained to- 
wards all the officers connected with the prison. 

Captain J. Warner, 
A. Q. 31. C, S, Military Prison, 

Accompanying the above certificate was the follow- 
ing indorsement : 

LiBBY Prison, Richmond, Ya., 
September ISth, 1863. 
We fully indorse the within, trusting it may correct 
a statement which is false and unjust, emanating from 
one of the inmates of this prison. But, in doing so, we 
wish only to speak for ourselves individually, without 
referring to the sentiments of any other officer. 
[Signed] 

JAMES M. SANDEESOlSr, 
Lt. Col. and Com. Sub. of First Coiys. 

CHAS. W. TILDEK, 
Colonel of Sixteenth Maine Volunteers. 

INDIGNATION OF THE PRISONERS. 

This flunkeyism and usurpation of authority on the 
part of these offiers, created in all the other prisoners 
confined in Libby, a feeling of the greatest indignity. 

For the rations furnished us were of no better qual- 
ity, nor more in quantity, than set forth in the commu- 
nication of Colonel Streight. Moreover, it was a noto- 
rious fact, that all of these officers daily made large 
purchases of fresh meats and vegetables — a strange 



AND HOW TREATED. 57 

pbeuoinenon — when the rebel commissariat furnished 
them with such an extensive and varied bill of fare. 

A meeting of the prisoners was called to express their 
sentiments in regard to these false and malignant state- 
ments. 

The following resolutions were offered and unani- 
mously adopted : 

Resolved 1. That the written statement addressed 
to Captain J. Warner, Commissary of Subsistence of 
C. S. A., indorsed and vouched for by Colonel Charles 
W". Tilden, Sixteenth 'Maine Volunteers, and Lieuten- 
ant Colonel James M. Sanderson, Commissary of Sub- 
sistence of First Army Corps U. S. A., in reference to 
the treatment and sentiments of the officers confined 
here, is, in every essential particular, a gross misrepre- 
sentation of facts, and in its reasonable inferences un- 
qualifiedly false. 

Resolved 2. That said statement is directly calcu- 
lated to stifle the voice of our reasonable complaints as 
truthfully set forth in the communication of Colonel 
A. D. Streight, which they stigmatize as unjust and 
untrue, to mislead and deceive our commissioner for 
exchange of prisoners, and our Government. 

Resolved 3. That in lieu of the cruel and inhuman 
treatment of the enlisted men of our army by the Con- 
federate authorities, which daily comes under our no- 
tice, not to speak of the indignities and deprivations to 
which our officers have been subjected, the action of 
those officers, whose names are attached to the com- 
munication referred to in the first, meets our unquali- 
fied condemnation. 

Resolved 4. That our thanks are due to Colonel 
Streight for his fearless and unselfish efforts to secure 
for us additional accommodations from our enemies ; 



58 

and that an increased amount of rations are some of 
the fruits of his labors ; and that the course he has pur- 
sued, in relation to our condition, meets with our hearty 
approval. 

STARVED TO DEATH. 

During the first months of our confinement in Libby, 
one of the rooms below the officers' quarters, was used 
as a prison for our enlisted men. These poor fellows, 
even when they had money, were not allowed to pur- 
chase anything whatever, but were confined exclusively 
to rations issued them by the rebels, which, at that 
time, consisted of a small slice of bread and about a 
pint of broth, in which rusty, decayed and spoiled ba- 
con had been boiled, thickened sometimes with a small 
quantity of rice or beans, twice each day, and this is all. 
^ I have witnessed the issue of those articles to our 
men, perhaps, a hundred times, and solemnly afiirm 
that I never seen any variation in the quantity or qual- 
ity above stated. The soup was brought in to the pris- 
oners in wooden buckets, and I have frequently noticed 
it when the top was covered with white maggots 
that the process of cooking had forced from the meat 
and beans. These the prisoners, when not too hungry 
to wait for their respective allowance, would skim ofi 
with an old tin cup, or wooden spoon of their own man- 
ufacture, for, be it remembered, that they were robbed 
of knives, forks, spoons, plates and cups, as well as of 
their blankets, clothing, hats and boots. 

The most of the time, the men above referred to, 
were confined in Libby, we were allowed to send out 
and make a few purchases of bread, meat and vegeta- 
bles; so, that some days, we would have a few crusts 



AND HOW TREATED. 59 

of the bread issued to us by the rebels left after our 
evening meal. These were carefully collected for our 
men in the room below, and were dropped down to 
them through a crack in the floor. I have, sometimes, 
went there with a few crusts of stale bread, and, per- 
haps, with a few bones, upon which there still remained 
a little blue beef. At such times I have found as many 
as could possibly crowd around the hole, standing on 
tip-toe, their long bony, skeleton-like arms outstretched, 
ready to grasp in their fleshless fingers any morsel of 
food, no matter how unpalatable, that we could spare 
them. One of my friends confined in this room, at this 
time, says that one evening two of the prisoners were 
taken down to the hospital, and died before the next 
morning — died of utter starvation 1 

ESCAPE OF A DEAD YANKEE. 

It has often been remarked, that Yankee prisoners 
of war, think of nothing through the day, nor dream 
of ought in their sleep, but exchange and escape. The 
following incident would seem to prove that the same 
hallucination is still with them when dead. 

Some time in October, a 'cute Yankee on Belle Isle, 
managed to get to the hospital before the usual time 
prescribed by the rebels for taking sick prisoners to 
that institution for medical treatment, that is, a few 
hours before the rebel surgeon, who examines them, 
thinks they will die. Though hundreds of our poor 
fellows on Belle Isle, in the winter of 1863-'64, " shuffled 
ofi" this mortal coil," before they were ever removed 
from the excavations made in the sand to protect them 
from the chilling blasts of a Virginia winter. 

This soldier, that so fortunately got to the hospital, 



60 THE PRISONER OF WAR. 

pretended to be sick — very sick — and assured the nurse 
one evening, that it was impossible for him to live until 
morning. At length, a la Forrest, he commenced coun- 
terfeiting the agonies of death. So little attention v^^as 
given the patients by the rebel surgeon in charge, that 
no one knew the real condition of the man. The nurse 
supposed him dying. Finally, he gave a long, difficult 
drawn gasp, stretched his limbs and seemingly ceased 
to breathe. Some of the negro attendants connected 
with the prison, were ordered to carry him to the dead 
house, and soon the carcass of this live Yankee was de- 
posited by the side of a dead comrade lying there, wait- 
ing the morrow to be carted off, and without winding- 
sheet or coffin interred in an unknown grave. As our 
hero did not wish this ceremony performed for him 
just at this time, he quietly took his departure from 
the house of the dead, and in one week afterwards was 
inside the Union lines. 



CHAPTER V 



BELLE ISLE. 



Through the winter of 1863-64, some thousands 
of our men were quartered, or rather turned loose 
without quarters, inside ^f a guard line, on this Island, 
a barren, sandy tract of land several acres in extent, 
situated in the James river opposite liichmond. 

The prisoners on Belle Isle had neither barracks, 
tents, or shelter of any kind furnished them, until 
about mid-winter, when a few old worthless tents, too 
ragged and torn to keep out either wind, rain or snow, 
perhaps enough to accommodate one-fifth of the men, 
was given them. In the meantime, however, they had 
made excavations in the sand, with pieces of bone, 
sticks of wood, and in many instances with their fingers 
alone, as no tools or material to construct a shelter 
were allowed them, nor any means of living as civil- 
ized men, nor way of helping themselves as savages. 
Their rations were at all times insufficient, and fre- 
quently so foul that starvation itself could not swallow 
them. 

Into these pits made in the sand, our prisoners would 
huddle like swine in a bed of saw-dust. Lost to all 
sense of cleanliness, their energies wasted, ho'pe fled, 
their minds demented, they would, during the most 

(61) 



62 

inclement weather, lay here for days together, until 
the calcined sand worked into their skin, producing 
most frightful consequences, scores and hundreds dying 
from this cause alone. 

The barbarity with which these men were treated 
would disgrace the wild Arab of the Sahara. ISTo 
sooner were our men made prisoners, than they were 
robbed of their blankets, overcoats and money. Many 
of them were robbed of their hats, shoes, coats and 
pantaloons, and arrived at Richmond with but their 
shirts and drawers to cover their nakedness. Terrible 
as were their sufferings, on account of being thus 
robbed of their clothing, even in the most inclement 
season of the year, they are as nothing when compared 
with the misery occasioned for want of food. 

About the middle of October, a quantity of clothing 
was sent by the Government to the prisoners on Belle 
Isle. General Dow, then a prisoner in Libby, got per- 
mission from the rebel authorities to go over to the 
Island and distribute it among the most needy. But 
in a state of nudity as they were, with idiotic and 
childish impatience, they begged of him to bring them 
something to eat, saying much as they needed clothing 
they were suffering more for want of food. 

These facts seem incredible. Will it, then, be believed 
that they caught and eat dogs? The editor of the 
Richmond Examiner not wishing to acknowledge that 
the Southern people were barbarous enough to reduce 
their fellow beings to such an extremity, tries to quiet 
a guilty conscience in the following manner. I quote 
from the Examiner of January 21st, 186i. 

"Warning to Dogs. — According to the statement 
of *A Citizen,' who writes us on the subject. Belle Isle, 
the depot of the Yankee prisoners in Richmond, is un- 



AND HOW TKEATED. 63 

healthy for dogs — especially well-conditioned dogs. 
'The Yankees eat them/ and this our correspondent 
knows from facts that have come within his knowledge. 
Several gentlemen on that Mone barren isle' have lost, 
recently, their favorite heel-companions, and our cor- 
respondent affirms that it is well known to the guard 
that the Yankees caught, fricasseed and eat them ! And 
that, moreovei', the Yankees have begged some citizens 
to * let them have their dogs to eat.' Horrible ! We 
are advised, if we doubt the statement of our corres- 
pondent, to visit the island and take a dog along, and 
we will come away alone and convinced. 

*' All we have to append to this dog story is, that 
we never did admire Yankee taste in anything; but if 
they prefer a steak .of canine meat to the rations of 
beef, bread, potatoes and soup furnished them from the 
Commissar}^ Department by the prison officials, it is to 
their liking, not ours. Some animals of a carniverous 
nature rather like the flesh of another animal of a like 
nature. In the above case it is *dog eat dog,' per- 
haps." 

THE CHICKAMAUGA PRISONERS. 

Our officers and men captured at Chickamauga, who 
arrived at Richmond ten days after their capture, had 
received but twenty hard crackers, a half a pint of 
corn meal, and one pound of bacon, during the whole 
time. And while some of the officers were comfortably 
clad, the men were in the condition before described, 
in which prisoners were brought to Richmond. The 
weather was very chilly during most of the time, and 
both officers and men, when not on board the cars, 
were compelled to lie out in the open air, without 
blankets and without fires. 



64 

DEATH IN PRISON. 

The swk Frisoner. It is impossible to realize the 
misery conveyed by this expression. Far away from 
home and the loved ones there — lying on the cold 
damp ground — no covering but the canopy of heaven; 
no bedding but a ragged and filthy army blanket; 
wasting away from consuming fever, or dying of star- 
vation. Oh! how he loDgs for the gentle hand of a 
wife, mother or sister, to bestow on his burning brow 
and feverish lips a draught of cool water; and for their 
sweet words of comfort, encouragement and consola- 
tion. On the bed of sickness, no one watches over us 
with so much care as the wife, mother or sister; their 
words of kindness and sympathy cheer and comfort us 
through all affliction. 

Death on the field of battle has about it a heroic 
grandeur that absorbs in a great degree the thoughts 
of home and friends, and willingly resigns the soldier 
to a glorious death. But Oh! how horrible to die a 
prisoner, in the hands of a barbarous enemy ! 

REBEL HOSPITALS. 

The rebel hospitals for prisoners were more suitable 
for horse stables, or sheep pens, than places of habita- 
tion for sick and wounded human beings. In the hos- 
pital connected with Libby Prison, there were some 
rudely constructed "bunks," not enough to accommo- 
date more than one-half the patients brought there for 
treatment. The others were placed in rows on the 
hard and dirty floor, sometimes without blankets, and 
frequently without any clothing except their shirts and 
drawers. 



AND HOW TREATED. 65 

I have seen our men brought from Belle Isle in a 
dying condition, not from the effects of disease, but 
starvation. Soon as they arrived at the hospital, they 
would eagerly ask if they would not get ** something 
to eat now," and in their dying moments convulsively 
clutch in their bony fingers a piece of bread, and try 
to convey it to their mouths. I am fully convinced, 
from personal experience and observation, that nine- 
tenths of our men who died in the rebel prisons of the 
South, in the last two years, were brought to their 
death by starvation and exposure. Even in the hos- 
pitals they received no nutritious or palatable diet. 
/ At the Andersonville prison hospitals, the diet of the 
/ patients was corn meal gruel, corn bread, and occa- 
V sionally a little boiled rice, served with salt. 

Those that were fortunate enough to get to the 
hospitals at all, were not taken there until in a dying 
condition. I have seen scores of our men brought to 
the hospital in Richmond, from Belle Isle, who were 
carried out dead within an hour after their names were 
registered. 

After our men were removed from Belle Isle to Dan- 
ville, Virginia, the ravages of disease was still more 
terrible. I have no correct information in regard to 
the number of prisoners that died there, but give the 
following from the Richmond Dispatch of January 
26th, in reference to the fatality among them: 

"The Yankee Prisoners at Danville. — The Dan- 
ville Register says the small-pox continues to spread 
among the Yankee prisoners there. The number of 
cases is now three hundred. The virus furnished by 
their own Government having been generally adminis- 
tered, the progress of the disease may be checked. The 
fatality among the prisoners from this and other mal- 
(5) 



66 

adies is very great. Several wagon loads are hauled 
out to the grave^'ard every day from the general hos- 
pital, besides those who die of small-pox." 

THE EXAMINER COUNSELS MURDER. 

In October, 1863, the rebel authorities resolved to 
remove the prisoners from Belle Isle, to some point 
not so liable to "Yankee raids." The frequent demon- 
stration of Union cavalry up the peninsula, coming 
sometimes almost within sight of the throne of Jeffer- 
son the First, (and last,) suggesting to the mind of the 
rebel Secretary of War, the fact, that Eichmond was 
not (he safest place in the Confederacy for prisoners 
of war, and that "beast" Butler might send force 
enough to enter Eichmond and release them. 

From an article in the Examiner of October 30th, 
1863, in reference to the removal of the prisoners from 
Richmond, I make the following extract : 

"The proper authorities are debating the question 
of the removal of the twelve thousand Yankee prison- 
ers from Eichmond to some other point. ^ * -'"^ ^ Dan- 
ville, or some location on the James Elver Canal, are 
spoken of. We are glad the question has been started, 
and the citizens of Eichmond will do all in their powoi- 
to help them to a decision. 

"The Yankee Government, under the laws of civil- 
ized warfare, are entitled to these men, and if they will 
not take them, let them be put where cold weather and 
scant fare will thin them out in accordance with the 
laws of nature." 

In Courts of Justice the accessory to a crime is al- 
ways considered, in a greater or less degree, guilty, 
and frequently the same punishment awarded that the 



AND HOW TREATED. 67 

principal receives. Yet the editor of the sacrilegious 
sheet containing the above, Mr. Pollard, after advising 
the inhuman murder of Union prisoners of war, was 
treated, during his captivity in the ITorth, with the 
greatest consideration and respect — was finally paroled, 
and remained some time with h\^ friends in the city of 
Baltimore, receiving the kindest attention from Union 
citizens (?) of that place. How humiliating to the 
brave men (if any still survive,) whose murder he ad- 
vised! 

THE CONTRAST. 

"While our men in Southern prisons were dying from 
starvation and exposure, the rebels in ^NTorthern prisons 
fared sumptuously every day; had good quarters, 
plenty of fuel, and received the respects and civilities 
due them as prisoners of war. 

At Johnson's Island, where the rebel officers were 
confined, the prisoners had almost as many accommo- 
dations as at a first class hotel. The extract given be- 
low from a rebel letter shows how they fare on that 
" bleak wintry Isle." The letter was written by a re- 
turned rebel surgeon to a gentleman in Augusta, 
Georgia, who had a son on the Island, and published 
in the Richmond Enquirer, from which this extract is 
taken. 

^•The sleeping accommodations are very comforta- 
ble, consisting of a bunk, with straw bed, and if the 
individual has no blanket one is furnished, and he is 
allowed to buy as many more as he wants. Every 
room has a good stove, and furnished with a sufficiency 
of wood, which the prisoners have to saw for them- 
selves after it is brought to their doors — by the way, a 



68 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

very good exercise. The prison consist of thirteen 
large buildings of wood. The space of ground enclosed 
is sixteen acres, of which the prisoners have full privi- 
lege to exercise in, to sing Southern !N'ational songs, 
to hurrah for Jeft' Davis, and to play at ball, or any 
other game they may see fit. 

"The rations are exactly the same as issued to tho 
garrison, consisting of fresh beef, pork, baker's bread, 
sugar, coffee, beans, hominy, vinegar, salt, soap and 
candles. Besides this, up to the time I left, there was 
a sutler's store inside the enclosure, from which we 
could obtain any kind of vegetables and meats, or nick- 
nacks, that we chose. We could purchase clothing of 
any kind, or anything we wanted. Clothing and eat- 
ables of all kinds were allowed to be sent to the prison- 
ers, by their friends in the North, in any quantity; 
money also without stint. 

"When I left the Island, the excitement about the 
release of the prisoners by a force from Canada was at 
its highest pitch, necessarily causing the garrison to be 
re-inforced. This coming so suddenly, found the com- 
miissary stores on the Island deficient, and the rations 
for both prisoners and garrison were somewhat cur- 
tailed. The sutler was also sent away and the prison- 
ers still more restricted. 1 hope, however, before this 
time, things are pursuing the even tenor of their way, 
and that the prisoners are enjoying themselves as here- 
tofore. We had the privilege of writing as many let- 
ters as we chose, and when we chose, of course subject 
to certain restrictions; we could purchase writing ma- 
terials in any quantity. 

"The officers over the prisoners have, at all times, 
conducted themselves as gentlemen, and have been 



AND HOW TREATED. 69 

very kind and lenient; nor do they suffer the prisoners 
to be insulted or abused in any way." 

If our Union soldiers, prisoners at the South, had 
received such kind treatment as this, the sixteen thou- 
sand brave men, now sleeping beneath the cold damp 
earth in the vicinity of Andersonville, Georgia, would 
now have been alive, and at home, to gladden and 
make happy their wives, mothers, children and friends, 
and ready with strong arms and brave hearts to defend 
their country. 



CHAPTER VI. 



WINTER IN LIBBY. 



We will now return to the Libby. We have been 
here, oh! how many wretched, dreary days! Have 
seen the fields and forest on the opposite side of the 
swift waters of the James put on the g^reen robes of 
spring — the sultry summer months come and pass 
away — then the autumn frosts, robbing the old trees of 
their green leaves, and fields and gardens of their rich 
carpeting of plants and bright hued flowers. The 
beauteous garb in which the warm sun of spring and 
summer attired nature, has faded and decayed. Hoary 
headed winter is upon us, his chilling blasts whistle 
between the bars of the grated and narrow windows; 
comes in and pierces the emaciated forms of the half 
clad prisoners, warning them that their own ingenuity 
and labor must be brought into requisition for a slight 
taste of comfort, and even perhaps for the preservation 
of life. The ragged, filthy blankets that lay untouched 
in a heap in one corner of the prison during the hot 
summer months, when the inmates sought sleep en 
deshahilUy on the hard and naked floor, now that we 
are not so particular, are readily made use of, regard- 
less of the numerous vermin that inhabit them^ About 

(70) 



AND HOW TREATED. 71 

half were thus supplied with blankets of the above de- 
scription. 

About this time we were recommended to send home 
for blankets, clothing, and such other articles as we 
would need for our comfort during the winter; we 
were assured that all such articles would be promptly 
delivered to us immediately after their arrival. This 
is glorious news! but will the rebels keep their faith? 
they have made frequent promises of future favors, but 
these have been as often broken; but hunger and cold 
stares us in the face, and we trust them again. The 
first installments are at once delivered, as per agree- 
ment, and by the greatest industry and ingenuity our 
prison abode soon wears, in a slight degree, the aspect 
of home, though of all places on the broad earth the 
most unlike that sweet haven of rest, happiness and 
comfort. Our worn and cast-off clothing is manufac- 
tured into curtains, and hung in the windows; they 
keep out all of the light and some of the cold air, but 
the darkness even of a dungeon was preferable to the 
suffering we would otherwise have to endure from the 
effects of cold. 

It must not be thought, from this description, that 
the prisoners quietly resigned themselves to a state of 
somnolency, and stowed their bodies away like dor- 
mant animals until the coming spring; though many 
nights when suffering with hunger and cold, I have 
laid down in my place on the floor and devoutly prayed 
that I might remain in the unconsciousness of sleep 
until the day of deliverance from my wretched condi- 
tion. 

INSIDE VIEW OF LIBBY. 

In the preceding pages I have given a general de- 



72 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

scrlption of the treatment, rations and quartei^ we 
received from tlie hands of the rebel officials. I shall 
now attempt to give, in detail, an account of the daily 
round of duties, occupations and amusements of the 
prisoners. 

With the first gray dawn of the morning, the sleep- 
ers lying on the floor in uneasy slumbers, side by side, 
and heel to head, are aroused to consciousness by the 
stentorian voice of a certain colored "gentleman," well 
known to the inmates of Libby as "Old Ben," crying 
out, "AH four ob de morning papers. Talagraphic 
dispatches from ebery whar. Rise, gentlemen, and buy 
de morning news. Great news from de Rappahannock. 
Great news from Charleston. Great news from de 
south-west and de east-west. Are all de gemmen 'com- 
modated with de morning news? I'se bound for to 
trabel." He brought copies of the daily Richmond 
papers, each a small half sheet of brow^n, dingy paper, 
generally containing but little that we could regard as 
reliable. They usually had a leading article filled with 
the most exaggerated statements and falsehoods of 
"Yankee barbarity," and thoroughly imbued Avith the 
most uncompromising hate of the Union, and of all 
who remained lo^^al to the Government. But alas! 
for poor Ben's career as a disseminator of "talagraphic 
dispatches" and "news from ebery whar," to Yankee 
officers. He was charged by the prison officials with 
trading with us for "green-backs," and other disloyal 
acts, and at once prohibited vending "all four of de 
morning papers" in the prison. 

Scarcely would the strong brazen notes of "Ben" 
cease to resound through the prison, than the nasal 
twang of George, one of the prison attaches, would 
ascend the stairway, ordering us to fall in for roll call. 



AND HOW TREATED. 73 

If any still lingered in the embrace of Morpheus, this 
was a sufficient signal for the immediate expulsion of 
that mythological personage, twenty minutes only be- 
ing allowed after the musical notes of the above voice 
fell on the ear for all to go to the east room; and woe 
to the unlucky wight who failed to be there within the 
time specified, as lie would be immediately sentenced 
by one of the prison officials to stand under guard, on 
the floor of the cook room, for four hours. 

After we had been crowded and jammed into the 
above room as thick as bees in a hive, we were counted 
out one by one. We had roll again in the after- 
noon; thus nearly eleven hundred human beings were 
packed twice each day into a single room, where they 
had often to remain for an hour each time, and breathe 
the impure and unwholesome air thus generated. 

PRISONERS COOKING. 

After morning roll call, the next business in order 
for the now thoroughly aroused prisoners, is for those 
whose turn it is to act as cooks for their respective 
messes, to commence their culinary labors, which con- 
sisted in boiling a little rice, which was served up with 
salt. Then the rattle of cooking utensils, the slamming 
of stove doors, the crowding around the fires of a hun- 
dred men, each with his tin cup, intent on preparing 
for himself some extra dish, affords a lively and amu- 
sing scene. Each mess of twenty enjoyed its privilege 
of the mess kettles and tables in regular order, and one 
succeeds another in the greatest rapidity practicable. 

After arrangements were made for the prisoners to 
receive provisions from the North, the services of good 
cooks w^ere in great demand, and it was a frequent 



74 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

occurrence to see one of the fortunate recipients of a 
portion of the ''good things from home^^^ perambulating 
the different apartments of the prison, enquiring "who 
wants to cook for my box." And among those who 
were living, or rather starving on Confederate rations, 
there were always enough who would willingly become 
the servants of their brother officers for the sake of 
something good to eat. But when all became supplied, 
these knights of the pots and pans resolved to cook 
for their 02(?n boxes; consequently each officer. Briga- 
dier as well as Lieutenant, was at length compelled to 
do his own cooking. The avidity with which the}'' 
would pour over the household department of old 
magazines and newspapers in search of receipts for pre- 
paring various dishes, was no less astonishing than the 
rapidity with which they became adepts in this branch 
of house keeping. Should the wives of any have 
doubts on this point, they have only to send them to 
the kitchen to prepare a breakfast or dinner, and they 
will be at once amply convinced of their proficiency in 
the art. 

AMUSEMENTS. 

Some pass the hours in reading, writing, or in games, 
among which chess, checkers, and the various games 
with cards, are included. Nearly all seem to find en- 
joyment and consolation in smoking, and a person of 
sensitive olfactories who disliked tobacco, if in Libby, 
was a martyr, with no possibility of escape. He 
must eat it in his rice and corn bread, and drink it in 
his coffee, inhale it every breath, and experience no 
relief till lost in the unconsciousness which sleep brought 
to his offended senses. 



AND HOW TREATED. 75 

Among the variety of pursuits and amusements, 
music claims no small share of attention, and groups 
may here and there be found, intent upon rendering, 
in most melodious accents, the choicest selections from 
Mozart, Handel, and other masters of sacred song. In 
other places, proficients upon the violin discourse 
Ethiopian melodies, to which some charmed listeners 
are keeping time, giving most lively motion to their 
pedal extremities. Others are busily engaged in man- 
ufacturing ornaments from the bones of the blue beef 
that furnished us food. Many of these were specimens 
of mechanical skill truly worthy of admiration. Here 
were linger rings of exquisite workmanship; crosses, 
inlaid with hard rubber cut from the back of a pocket 
comb; napkin rings wrought with the most elaborate 
designs; miniature toilet tables, &c., in great profu- 
sion. 



Communicating with the loved ones at home was 
our chief source of enjoyment. A most happy privi- 
lege w^hile it lasted ! But this simple means of gratifi- 
cation was finally, almost totally denied to us. And 
the following order, issued by the commandant of the 
prison, I give it verbatim et literatim : 

Office 0. S. Military Prison, 
JRichmondj Fa., February 14^A, 1864. 
Hereafter prisoners wont be allowed to write no 
letters to go to the so called United States, of more than 
six lines in length and only one letter per week. 
By command of 

THOS. P. TURISTER, 

Major a S. A. 



76 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

" Letters from home!" Oh, what a thrill of pleasure 
this announcement would send to the heart of the 
weary prisoner ! Could the wives mothers and sisters 
of our soldiers realize the exstatic joy that swells the 
bosoms of husbands, sons and brothers, on receipt of 
their tender and affectionate letters — the hope, courage 
and high resolves with which they animate them, their 
fair hands would certainly be more frequently engaged 
in this work of love. And ladies, take my advice — 
write to your loved ones often ! You have no idea of 
the good you can accomplish in this way, and at so 
little expense. 

I have seen men on the bloody field, and in hospitals, 
their lives passing fast away from the effects of ghastly 
wounds or consuming fevers, whose last lingering gaze 
rested fondly on these missives of love. Truly, they 
brought hope and consolation in this most trying hour! 

The aftable and genial Lieutenant Knaggs was our 
Postmaster. On the arrival of the mail he would se- 
lect some elevated spot, or, perhaps, take a position 
astride one of the naked beams in the ''upper west 
room," when he was immediately surrounded by the 
entire population of Libby, each one anxiously hoping 
that his name might be first called. But never, at one 
time, were all supplied, and many, always, returned 
disappointed and gloomy to their chosen spot, wonder- 
ing why no letters from wife or mother. 

"FRESH FISH." 

Familiar in the mouths of the inhabitants of Libby 
as "household words." Heard in the gray of morn- 
ing when the disconsolate crowd of prisoners just ar- 
rived, await in the street in front of the prison the seal- 



AND HOW TREATED. 77 

ing'"^ process, which always takes place before they are 
'packed away for safe keeping. Heard, also, in the dead 
of night, when the sleepers turn over in their blankets 
to curse the fresh fish for disturbing their slumbers at 
such unseasonable hours, the poor fresh fish standing, 
meanwhile, a disconsolate group, wondering why no 
better accommodations have been made for their recep- 
tion; and, after fruitless conjectures, depositing them- 
selves on the bare and dirty floor, and sink to sleep, af- 
ter exhausting their minds speculating on the magna- 
nimity of the " Southern Chivalry.'' 

The cry of "fresh fish" is a slang phrase, and never 
to be forgotten by the unfortunate whose arrival it an- 
nounces, and who, should it be his fate to make his de- 
hut in Libby when the inmates are not asleep, is imme- 
diately surrounded by a gaping crowd of awkward aud- 
itors, eager to learn what is transpiring in the outer 
world, when the hapless fresh fish have to answer re- 
peatedly the scores of questions propounded in rapid 
succession by hundreds of old fish; and one who could 
pass through the ordeal without losing his equanimity, 
was certainly possessed of the patience of Job, and the 
affability of Chesterfield. 

Among the leading inquiries made of the new ar- 
rivals, were the following: "Where were you cap- 
tured?" "Did the rebs get your greenbacks ? " "How 
did you hide j'our watch ? " " What does the Northern 
press say about the exchange? " Thus, from the constant 
advent of "fresh fish," and the occasional receipt of a 
letter six lines in length from friends in the North, we 
were kept a little better informed in regard to what was 

*■ Robbing prisoners of their blankets, clothing and money. 



78 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

transpiring outside of Libby, than if we had been res- 
idents of Jupiter or the moon. 

EXCHANGE. 

At all hours of the day discussions and speculations 
in regard to the resumption of the ^'cartel,'' might be 
heard among the prisoners whose thoughts seemed to 
dwell constantly on the scenes and affections of home. 

Libby w^as certainly the most prolific place in the 
world for rumors, not even excepting the most gossip- 
ins: sewinof circle ever established in a country village. 
Consequently there were many of these that daily went 
the rounds to elate or depress the mind of the prisoner, 
w4io, whatever else he might do or think, ceased not to 
long for the happy hour which should place him again 
under the "Star Spangled Banner," and return him 
once more to the society of loved ones at home. Ex- 
amples of these ever-recurring, hope-inspiring and de- 
pressing agents, were the following: 

*' Commissioners of Exchange met yesterday, and ef- 
fected a cartel! All to be exchanged immediately!" 

Then, in the same hour, purporting to come from 
the same official : 

"Commissioners could not agree! 'No exchange 
probable for months to come ! " The negro question 
prevents all exchange ! " 

Then : 

"The negro question has never been in issue!" 

One comes directly from the commandant of the 
prison and informs us : 

" That we will be here only a short time longer." 

Another says : 

"It has been advised from the same authority that 



AND HOW TREATED. 79 

we bad better send borne and get a supply of clotbing 
and provisions ! " 

And so wears away tbe day, till at length the sable 
curtains of night again cast their shadows over the 
crowded rooms. 

NIGHT IN LIBBY. 

Some of the most ludicrous incidents in Libby life 
occur after all its inhabitants have arranged themselves, 
each in his chosen spot upon the floor, with his army 
blanket around him. Then commences a succession of 
conundrums, questions and replies, technically called 
the catechism. This embodied a general censorship of 
the habits, opinions or peculiarities of whatever kink, 
of any who might attract special attention. And among 
such a collection of persons, of such diversity of opin- 
ions, and such a variety of habits, enough could always 
be found to furnish means for an hour of uproarious 
hilarity. Such as the following questions would be 
proposed : 

*' Why ought the best of English poetry to emanate 
from this room ? " Because we have a Spencer and a 
Burns here, and they live in a garret — a poet's usual 
abode. 

" Who stole Mosley's hash ? " General Dow. 

" Who offered to enlist in the rebel army if he could 
be released from prison ? " Goldsboro. 

" Who put soap in the small mess kettle?" Piper. 

"Who said they got more meat than they could eat?" 
Ely and Sanderson. 

"Who sold his boots to buy extra mutton chops?" 
Ely. 

" How does Libby differ from another public institu- 



80 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

tion in Philadelphia?" That is a Northern home for 
friendless children ; this is o. friendless home for North- 
ern children, &c., &c. 

At length all seem satisfied, and sleep and silence — 
except the sub-base of heavy snoring from many up- 
turned noses — reigns supreme till the coming dawn of 
another day. Thus, it will be seen, that live Yankees, 
even when prisoners in rebeldom, and subject to all the 
discomforts which semi-barbarism can impose, will be 
Yankees still, and will find amusement in the exercise 
of the mental vivacity peculiar to the race. 



CHAPTER VII 



ESCAPE OF ANDERSON AND SKELTON. 

We have been now eight months incarcerated within 
the gloomy walls of Libby. And so closely have we 
been guarded, and so securely closed and barred the 
doors and windows, that escape seems to be impossible, 
no one has yet attempted it, though many schemes 
have been proposed and canvassed by different parties, 
but finally dismissed as impracticable. Captain M. T. 
Anderson, of the Fifty-First Indiana Volunteers, at 
length resolved on the novel expedient of feigning sick- 
ness, and thus get to the hospital, so that he would have 
an opportunity of conversing with the sentinels posted 
around that part of the building; and, as he had still 
some money about him that he had smuggled into the 
prison, he hoped to be able to bribe them to let him 
pass out. The influence of Uncle Sam's "greenbacks'* 
over the rebel guards was entirely satisfactory, and the 
Captain at once set about making arrangements for his 
departure from Libby. The first thing was to find, 
among his fellow-prisoners, a suitable companion to 
accompany him, one who would be willing to brave 
any danger in order to gain their freedom. One to the 
Captain's liking was found in the person of Lieuten- 
(6) , (81) 



82 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

ant J. F. Skelton, of the Seventeenth Iowa Yolunteers. 
The hospital room is on the ground floor in the east 
end of the Libby prison. The cook room for the sick 
was in the basement or cellar immediately under it, 
and from this they determined to make their exit. 
There were four sentinels on the south side of the 
fciiilding, and three on the east end, and one opposite 
and directly in front of the small door through which 
they intended passing out; two of these sentinels they 
succeeded in bribing, and trusted to their activity and 
good luck to evade the vigilance of the others. 

On the night of December 11th, all arrangements 
being completed, they commenced putting their plans 
into execution. With a large meat cleaver, tkey cut 
the bars from the door before mentioned, and just at 
the hour of ten they swung it back on its hinges, and 
were stepping from bondage to liberty, when the cor- 
poral of the guard was called by one of the sentinels. 
Hope sank within them; their first impression was, 
that the guard had betrayed them; all their fond hopes 
of liberty and freedom were instantly dispelled. But 
soon the corporal made his "rounds," and all was 
again quiet. The time of night was called by sentinel 
number one, and passed successively from right to left; 
the backs of the sentinels are now turned on the door; 
the captain and his companion instantly see their ad- 
vantage, and quicker than I can describe it they again 
swing the shutter back, jump out and over the guard 
line, and are free. They proceed down Carey street 
towards llocketts, coolly and slowly as if traversing 
some old familiar path of by-gone days. About thirty 
minutes walking brought them to the outskirts of the 
city, and in sight of the forts and works surrounding 
it ; knowing that pickets would be stationed near by, 



AND HOW TREATED. 83 

they left the main road and entered a deep ravine, in 
which they remained until they passed through the 
works and pickets defending Richmond. They now 
felt that they had gained their liberty ; gloomy walls 
of a loathsome prison no longer encompassed them. 
Yet it required patience, toil, and suffering and caution, 
to reach the Union lines through an enemies countr}^ 
of nearly one hundred miles in extent, with every pub- 
lic and by-road closely guarded and patrolled. In 
consequence of their limited knowledge of the country, 
and the darkness of the night, which prevented them 
from directing their course by a small compass in their 
possession, they lost the route, and wandered round 
until daylight, to find they were only five or six miles 
from the city of Eichmond. To attempt traveling 
during daylight was certain recapture; so they con- 
cealed themselves in some thick underbrush, though 
here they did not feel entirely safe, for they lay within 
a mile of the rebel camp. Confederate soldiers con- 
stantly passing back and forth, and within a few yards 
of where the fugitives lay. 

Hour after hour they watched the road for some 
wandering slave to pass by, knowing well that Union 
soldiers could always put implicit confidence in the 
black man; they would, therefore, make known to 
him who they were, and get the exact locality of their 
present position, also the situation of the rebel camps 
at Bottom's Bridge, across the Chickahominy river. 
Late in the evening the sound of a wagon was heard 
coming down the road; they cautiously crawled to 
within a few feet of where it would pass, and anxiously 
awaited its approach; it soon came in sight, and to 
their great joy they discovered that the team was driven 
by a negro; soon as he came up he was promptly hal- 



Si 

ted, whereupon he drew up his mules with a loud 
whoa, but what was the surprise of the fugitives to see 
a white man jump out of the wagon. They had no 
idea of finding an individual in this locality of his color 
that was a friend; consequently to deceive him was 
their first thought. He inquired what they wanted, 
and was answered that they were in search of a runa- 
way slave, that he had been tracked to that neighbor- 
hood when all trace of him was lost. The explanation 
Beemed satisfactory, and like a true Virginian he prom- 
ised to do all in his power to intercept the runaway, 
and master and slave, with the team, passed on very 
much to the joy and delight of our escaped Yankees. 

Immediately after dark they again started on their 
journey northward, taking the Williamsburgh pike 
towards Bottom's Bridge, passing directly in front of 
the headquarters of the commanding officer of the 
troops at that place. Before reaching the bridge it 
began raining so furiously, and was so dark, that to 
proceed further on the way was impossible; and they 
again lay down without shelter, overcoats or blankets, 
to pass away the long tedious hours of a stormy night. 
Daybreak at last became visible in the east, and they 
determined to travel, regardless of danger, and started 
in a north-east course, which they followed until they 
reached the middle of the "White Oak swamp; they 
then changed to an eastern course, and all of that day 
(the 13th of December) they waded often waist deep 
through mud and water; but nothing daunted or dis- 
couraged they kept on, striving for liberty and freedom, 
willingly periling their lives to reach the land where 
the starry flag is the emblem of the free. About sun- 
set of this day they crossed the Chickahominy on a 
fallen tree which had blown down, and fortunately 



AND HOW TREATED. 85 

lodged across the river just at the point where they 
first struck the banks of the stream. 

Being now tired, hungry, and footsore, from exces- 
sive exertion, having traveled nearly twenty miles 
through the swamp, they again deposited themselves 
on the cold wet ground for a few hours sleep and rest, 
but it was another fearful stormy night of wind and 
rain, and sleet, consequently to sleep was impossible, 
and at the first gray streak of morning light they pro- 
ceeded on their weary march. They had not gone far 
before they were discovered in the road by a rebel sol- 
dier; they at once determined to defend themselves as 
best they could, in case of an attempt on the part of 
the scout to capture them. But again fortune favored 
them, and the scout passed by without speaking. They 
now left all roads, both highways and by-paths, and 
traveled exclusively through forests, swamps and fields, 
and about ten o'clock they came in contact with a 
negro girl in the woods, gathering up dry leaves for 
bedding; they questioned her in regard to roads and 
different localities, but she could give them no infor- 
mation. When they informed her that they were 
Yankee officers, she seemed to experience the greatest 
anxiety for their safety, and when they started off she 
admonished them to hurry, for, said she, "massa will 
be here 'drecly now." In consequence of this informa- 
tion, they pushed on at a double quick for several 
miles. 

Late that night they reached Haw creek, and after 
refreshing themselves with some corn bread and bacon, 
lay down to sleep as usual, with the heavens for their 
only covering, and mother earth their bed, but sleepy 
and fatigued as they were they could not sleep for the 
extreme pain they suffered from cold. Early next 



86 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

morning they were again on the road, weary and ex- 
hausted from loss of sleep, but still they bend their 
course northward; they have suffered too long in rebel 
prisons to give up and be taken back, as long as they 
could march even a single rod per day. After proceed- 
ing about a mile, they discovered two horsemen ap- 
proaching; they quickly concealed themselves in the 
brush, and awaited for them to pass by, but when they 
came within a short distance it was discovered that the 
riders were negroes, which put the fugitives quite at 
ease, and they at once informed the slaves that they were 
"Yankee officers," trying to reach the Union lines. 
This was very much of a surprise to the "darkies," 
and caused each of them to disclose a huge amount of 
ivory; but their joy was quickly changed to fear and 
anxiety for the safety of their E'orthern friends, and 
they at once volunteered to aid them to the extent of 
their ability; the kindly proffer w^as at once accepted. 

In accordance with instructions from their dusky 
protectors, they remained concealed in this vicinity 
until night; one of the negroes then came and piloted 
them to his friend's house, where they were furnished 
w'ith a w^arm meal; the negro, while they were eating, 
brought a cart, the bed of which was filled with corn 
: blades, around to the door, and notified them that all 
was ready, and they were soon securely stored away 
beneath the fodder, in this position they rode eight 
miles, where they stopped at a negro hut, the dwelling 
of a friend of the guide; here they were almost com- 
pelled by the urgency of the black folks to partake of 
another supper. This was as far as prudent to go with 
the horse and cart, but the faithful guide piloted them 
on foot for three miles farther, and after giving them 
the most careful directions in re^irard to the roads and 



AND HOW TREATED. 87 

country, with throbbing heart and streaming eyes bid 
his Yankee friends good-bye. 

The escaped prisoners were now about eleven miles 
from the Union lines, so with light hearts they pushed 
rapidly on, knowing from the description given them. 
by the negro, how to recognize the country in the vi- 
cinity of the Federal pickets. After three hours' hard 
marching, they thought it time to be near the boys in 
blue. They advanced but a few rods further, when 
they were suddenly ordered to halt, an order they very 
promptly executed; by looking in the direction from 
whence came the sound of the voice, they could just 
see the figures of three mounted men with presented 
guns. It was so dark that their uniforms could not be 
distinguished, therefore they could not discover whether 
they were friends or foes. ''Who goes there?" was th^ 
challenge of the watchful sentry, which was answered 
by *' friends." "Advance, friends," was the next order. 
" To whom shall we advance," was the reply of the 
careful fugitives. The soldiers on duty proved to be 
Union pickets, a happy discovery to Captain Anderson 
and his companion. They were again beneath the 
protecting folds of the old flag. Every attention and 
kindness was shown them by the officer of the guard, 
and next morning he conducted them to the headquar- 
ters of the Post Commandant, who kindly furnished 
them transportation to Fortress Monroe, where they 
met General Butler; he received them very cordially, 
and made many inquiries in regard to the condition of 
our unfortunate prisoners in Kichmond. 

Each spent a few weeks at home, recruiting his health 
and exhausted energies before taking the field; since 
when they have zealously endeavored to repay the 
rebels ^or their kind treatment while prisoners of war. 



88 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

THE COUNCIL OF FIVE. 

In October a plan was projected for a general out- 
break of the prisoners confined in Libby. The vdiole 
arrangement, and every thing connected with it, was 
gotten up on a well digested plan, which was to be 
executed in systematic order. Colonel A. D. Streight, 
of the Fifty-First Indiana Volunteers, was chosen to 
be chief in command, and Colonels Powell, Eose and 
Ely, to be commanders of brigades. 

The organization was known, as the "Council of 
Five," from the fact of the members being classed off 
in clubs, each of which contained that number, on ac- 
count of it being impossible for all to meet together for 
the purpose of transacting business ; for by so doing, 
secrecy, which was absolutely essential to the success of 
the undertaking, could not be maintained. 

The objects embraced in the enterprise, was not only 
to secure our own freedom, but after we had seized and 
overpowered the guard doing duty at the prison, to 
take their arms and march to the tobacco warehouses 
where a number of our soldiers were imprisoned, re- 
lease them and proceed to the arsenal, take possession, 
and arm and equip ourselves with the guns and accou- 
trements found there; then release all the prisoners 
confined in and around Richmond, form them into 
companies, regiments and brigades, and, if possible, 
take prisoners Jefferson Davis and his Cabinet, and 
other leading rebels then in the city, and then march 
en masse down the Peninsula until we should arrive 
within our own lines. 

From a Union lady with whom communication was 
had, through a negro, who was allowed access to the 
prison for the purpose of scrubbing the floor and carry- 



AND HOW TREATED. 89 

ing out the slops collected in the kitchen, we had the 
most correct and reliable information in regard to the 
number of troops in the vicinity of the city, the number 
and kind of arms and accoutrements, and amount of 
ammunition in the arsenal and other places in Rich- 
mond. 

Notwithstanding every member of the organization 
was bound by the most solemn oath to preserve the 
strictest secrecy, its existence was discovered by some 
of the inmates of the prison, not connected with the 
enterprise, and who were more friendly to rebel offi- 
cials than to their fellow prisoners, and by them 
treacherously revealed to the authorities having us in 
charge, who, acting on the information thus gained 
from the traitors confined with us as Union prisoners 
of war, immediately doubled the guard, and planted 
cannon bearing from various points on the prison; 
General Pickett's division was also ordered to the vi- 
cinity of Richmond for the purpose of overpowering 
any attempt at an outbreak. 

It was but a few days before the time designated for 
the execution of the enterprise, that this discovery was 
made to the rebel authorities; but measures were so 
promptly taken by them to meet, and if possible pre- 
vent it, (all of which were known to us,) that the pro- 
ject was at once abandoned as impracticable. 

The abandonment of the scheme was not yet known 
to the Commandant of the prison; and that worthy, 
thinking no doubt to put an end to all attempts of the 
kind, deliberately resolved on the following plan to 
murder Colonel Streight, who was known to be the 
leader: He addressed a note to Colonel Streight, say- 
ing that we were fools for remaining in prison, and 
that if two wished to pass out that night they could do 



90 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

SO by paying the guard on a certain post one hundred 
dollars in greenbacks, and two silver watches. This 
was placed in the hands of the sentinel on a certain 
post, who, according to his instructions, threw it 
in the prison through one of the windows. Colonel 
Streight, not once suspecting any foul play or treachery, 
and thinking it only a plan of speculation on the part 
of the guard, immediately prepared to take advantage 
of the opportunity thus offered to regain his liberty. 

The Colonel borrowed the money, and Captain 
B. C. G. Kead, of the Third Ohio Volunteers, procured 
the watches, and at the appointed time both proceeded 
to the window designated, and with the aid of a blan- 
ket, descended on the outside to the ground, handed 
the guard the money and watches, and passed outside 
the sentry's beat. They proceeded only a few steps, 
w^hen they were fired upon by a squad of rebel soldiers, 
(fortunately without injury to either,) who immediately 
surrounded them and conducted them back within the 
gloomy walls of the prison they had just left, and they 
were at once placed in one of the dungeons in the 
basement of the Libby, where their situation and suf- 
fering was most horrible. 

The reader can judge of their condition from the fol- 
lowing communication, addressed by Colonel Streight 
while in the cell, to the United States Commissioner 
for Exchange of Prisoners. It was written with a pen- 
cil on a slip of paper torn from his memorandum book, 
and passed through a hole cut in the floor to one of his 
officers in the prison above, who copied it and sent it 
through clandestinely by a surgeon who was exchanged 
■and going ISTorth. 



and how treated. 91 

In the Cell, Eichmond, Virginia, 
December 22d, 1863. 

General: — I have the honor to report to you the 
situation that Captain B. C. G. Read, Third Ohio Vol- 
unteers, and myself, are in, and the circumstances con- 
nected with our being here. On the eighteenth instant 
I received a note, stating that we were fools for staying 
in prison, and that if two of us wished to leave at three 
o'clock the following morning, we could do so by pay- 
ing the sentinel on a certain post one hundred dollars in 
greenbacks and two silver watches, as a compensation 
for the risk of being detected. I borrowed the money, 
and Captain Read procured the watches, and at the ap- 
pointed hour we proceeded to the designated place; 
the money and watches were handed over, and we were 
allowed to pass out. Bat no sooner were we outside 
the guard line, than an indiscriminate fire was opened 
on us by a party of the prison attaches, (seven in num- 
ber,) headed by Lieutenant LaTouche, Adjutant of the 
prison. We were seized and ironed, and placed in this 
cell on bread and water. There was no attempt on 
the part of the prison authorities to conceal the fact, 
that they deliberately laid the plan, and seemed to con- 
sider it a smart trick. I leave you to judge whether it 
was not a deliberate plot to rob and murder us. 

The cell in which we are placed is in one corner of 
the cellar of Libby prison. We w^ere without fire 
until yesterday, though it was most bitter cold, and 
now we are nearly suffocated with smoke. I cannot 
describe to you the filth, nor the loathing stench with 
which we are surrounded. The cellar is filled with old 
rubbish, and to all appearances has not been cleaned 
for years, consequently the number of rats and mice is 
beyond computation. How long the prison authori- 



92 ' THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

ties will keep us here I have no idea; but certain it is, 
we can not survive it long. I have stated that we were 
reduced to bread and water fare; I will add that what 
we get for bread is of such a quality that we, as yet, 
have been unable to eat it. 

I trust you will take such measures as- will compel 
these men to treat us as prisoners of war. I will fur- 
ther state for your information, that when I came here 
I found six of our soldiers who had been here one 
week. They were taken out yesterday. Some meas- 
ures should be adopted to prevent such barbarities as 
are daily being practiced on our officers and men. 

I send you this privately. They have refused me 
permission to write. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

A. D. STREIGHT, 
Colonel Fifty-First Indiana Volunteers. 
To Brigadier General S. A. Meredith, 

Commissioner for Exchange of Prisoners. 

The following, from the Richmond Enquirer, fur- 
nished by the prison officials, gives their version of the 
affair, from which it will be seen that although they 
blame the above parties with making the proposition 
to the guard, they do not try to keep secret the fact 
that it was a plot to rob our men of their money and 
valuables, also to murder them, should the least resist- 
ance be offered to their recapture. 

Escape and Recapture.— The Yankee officers con- 
fined in the Libby prison, have, on several occasions 
lately, made unsuccessful attempts to escape from that 
institution. The desire to escape seems to have grown 
with them since the successful evacuation of the prem- 
ises by Captain Anderson and Lieutenant Skelton, 



AND HOW TREATED. 93 

heretofore noticed, and which was produced by bribing 
the sentinel on duty at the time. On Friday evening, 
a sentinel on duty in the rear of Libby prison, was 
sounded by two officers on the subject of an escape, 
which they wished to effect at three and a half o'clock, 
that night. He agreed to their proposals; they prom- 
ising to give him a one hundred dollar green back and 
two w^atches for his services. Major Turner, being 
notified of the affair, directed the sentinel to let the 
parties escape and receive the bonus for so doing, and 
that he would take care they did not get very far off. 
Accordingly, at three and a half o'clock, a rear win- 
dow of the middle tenement of the Libby establish- 
ment, was raised, a blanket rope extended to the 
ground, and two men descended. Hastily approaching 
the sentinel, they handed him the green back and two 
silver watches, and were making remarkable good 
time, when they were hailed by Lieutenant La Touche, 
and commanded to stop. This accelerated their speed 
in the direction of Rocketts, but they had not gone 
very far when the guard, which had been posted, 
closed around the fugacious Yankees, and their capture 
was complete. On the approach of Lieutenant La 
Touche, he recognized the notorious Colonel A. D. 
Streight and his Adjutant, Lieutenant Eeed. They 
were conducted back to the Libby, furnished with 
substantial irons, and put in the dungeon of the prison, 
where they were at last accounts, "chewing the cud of 
sweet and bitter fancies." The Yankee officers had, 
previous to the attempt of Streight, determined to 
celebrate Christmas night by a grand musical enter- 
tainment. Whether their purpose will be affected by 
Streight's proceedings, remains to be seen." 

They were kept in the cell twenty-one days, confined 



94 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

on a diet of coarse, half baked corn bread, and water, 
and heavily ironed, and closely guarded during the 
whole of the time They had no means of personal 
cleanliness, neither water for washing, basin or combs, 
nor change of clothing being furnished them; conse- 
quently, when they made their appearance in their old 
'(juarters, in the upper part of the building, they were 
60 haggard and polluted with filth as to be scarcely 
recognizable by their former comrades. When first 
taken to the cell, the Colonel requested a box to sit on; 
they would not allow him to have it. He desired 
them to clean the filth out of his dungeon — they re- 
fused. He then asked them to take oflT his irons and 
furnish him with a broom that he might do it himself; 
this privilege w^as also denied. 

A guard was kept constantly in front of the grated 
door of the cell, to watch every motion they made, 
lest they should attempt, by some means, to relieve 
themselves of then jeiv els. 

Among civilized people it is a recognized principle 
of miHtary law, to be the duty of a prisoner of war to 
escape from the hands of the enemy if possible, in fact 
to make every efifort in his power to do so. For such 
attempts at escape, his captors have the right to con- 
fine him in more secure quarters. But neither law nor 
the usages of civilized nations recognize the right of 
punishment, by confinement in dark, dank, filthy dun- 
geons, or a reduction of food to an insufiicient quan- 
, tity to sustain life and health, or other means of 
torture. Yet our ofiScers and men, when recaptured, 
after an attempted escape, were subjected by these 
rebels to the most inhuman cruelties. 



AND HOW TREATED. 95 

JOHN MORGAN VISITS LIBBY. 

A few clays after Colonel Streigiit was taken from 
the dungeon and restored to his old quarters with the 
rest of the prisoners, the famous, or rather, infamous, 
General John H. Morgan, who had just escaped from 
the Ohio penitentiary, paid a visit to Llbby. He was 
accompanied by the rebel General A. P. Hill, the 
Mayor of the city of Richmond, Joseph Mayo, and 
other rebel notables. They were conducted through 
the difierent appartments of the prison by one of the 
officials in charge, who introduced them to several of 
the prisoners with whom he had become acquainted, 
including General l^eal Dow and Colonel Streight, 
both of whom received the great rebel bandit with be- 
coming dignity and respect. There was no expression 
of gratification and delight, or show of admiration 
manifested by any of the prisoners for the great guer- 
rilla; though one of the Eichmond papers, the follow- 
ing morning, contained an article saying that the 
"Kentucky officers expressed the most unqualified 
delight at seeing the favorite son of their own State, 
not only delighted to see him, but also delighted that 
he had escaped from prison and was once more at lib- 
erty ; " a statement in which there was about as much 
truth as in the following, taken from the Richmond 
Examiner, where it says General Dow's opinions had 
changed considerable during his confinement, in favor 
of the South: 

" General Morgan's Visit to the Libby Prison. — 
On Saturday, the city's guest, General John H. Mor- 
gan, escorted by His Honor, Joseph Mayo, Mayor of 
Richmond, Acting Adjutant General R. A. Alston, 
Mr. Bruce, Member of Congress, from Kentucky, and 



96 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

a number of others, paid a visit to the Libby prison, 
where an opportunity was afforded them of inspecting 
that famous receptacle of Union sentiment and the 
parties who give it vitality. These, in round numbers, 
foot up considerably over a thousand— an aggregate 
sufhcient to make a most respectable regiment, so far 
as mere numbers are concerned. General Morgan and 
party arrived at the prison about eleven o'clock, and, 
on making their wishes known, were immediately con- 
ducted on a tour of inspection. General Morgan, on 
arriving up stairs, where the prisoners "most do con- 
gregate," was immediately conducted into the presence 
of the "author of the Maine Liquor Law, " the whilom 
Brigadier General Keal Dow. An introduction took 
place, when Morgan observed, with one of those inim- 
itable smiles for which he is so noted, "General Dow, 
I am very happy to see you here; or, rather, since you 
are here, I am happy to see you looking so well." 
Dow's natural astuteness and Yankee ingenuity came 
to his aid, and he quickly replied, without apparent, 
embarrassment, "General Morgan, I congratulate you 
on your escape; I cannot say that I am glad you did 
escape, but, since you did, I am pleased to see you 
here." The conversation then became general between 
the two, during the progress of which Dow admitted 
that his views of the South, its people, and their treat- 
ment of prisoners of war had undergone a consider- 
able change for the better within the last few months. 

General Morgan also had an interview with the no- 
torious Colonel Streight, who had, several days pre- 
vious to his visit, been released from close confinement 
for attempting to escape from prison, and restored to 
Lis old place amongst the other ofiicers. 

While at the Libby General Morgan visited the hos- 



AND HOW TREATED. 97 

pital attached to the prison, and gave high praise to 
surgeon Wilkins and his co-laborers for their efficient 
conduct. The General said the hospitals were all that 
could be desired, and kept in true military style. 

The only drawback to the pleasant reflections in- 
duced by their visit was the existence of a fact which 
unconsciously leaked out during its progress. . On sev- 
eral occasions lately, owing to the inefficiency and want 
of industry or attention on the part of the quartermas- 
ter charged with the duty of furnishing fuel for the use 
of the Libby, the imprisoned officers have stood shiver- 
ing for days in the cold. On Christmas day it appears 
the Yankees went dinnerless, because there w^as no 
wood to cook their food. A few days thereafter, the 
dinner tables used by the officers were consumed for 
fuel to cook their food with." 



(7) 



CHAPTER VIII 



THE NEGROES IN LIBBY. 

There was attached to the prison about twenty "na- 
tive Americans of African descent," who had been 
cooks and officers' servants in the Union army, but 
who, through the fortunes of war, had at various times 
been captured and brought to this popular hotel for 
"Yankee" soldiers. They worked in and around the 
prison, scrubbing floors, carrying out slops, and cutting 
wood. 

For the most trifling oftences, either imagined or 
real, they were stripped and tied over a tobacco hogs- 
head or pork barrel, when Dick Turner, to gratify his 
devilish nature, would give the poor fellows on the 
bare back from thirty to forty lashes, with a horsewhip 
or cat-o-nine tails. The piteous moans and screams 
of the unoff'ending victims ascending from the cellar 
in which the brutal work was enacted, was frequently 
heard in the prison above. Thank God! that such 
scenes can never recur in the land of Washington, 
without the guilty perpetrators having to answer to a 
tribunal of justice for the crime. 

The " General," one of the negroes above mentioned, 
was quite an original, and one of the peculiarities of 

(98) 



AND HOW TREATED. 99 

Libby, never to be forgotten by the boarders at that 
place. It was the " General's " duty to go through the 
prison every morning with a kettle of burning tar, 
fumiofatiuo^ the rooms. He would inform us on each 
occasion that the smoke was "bery benewicial to the 
gemmen, kase it was good Union smoke." 

THE LIBBY TUNNEL. 

After the enterprise contemplated by the " Council 
of Five" was abandoned, the leaders of that organiza- 
tion determined to escape from the prison by tunneling 
from the lower story or basement of the building, pro- 
vided access could in any way be had to that part of 
the prison. A league, consisting of thirty-one mem- 
bers, each of whom was sworn not to divulge the exis- 
tence of the enterprise, even to his most intimate 
friend, was organized to put the scheme into execution. 
They dnally gained admittance to the cellar by care- 
fully removing a few brick from the hearth in the 
lower room of the prison, and descending throngh the 
chimney flue; which was d(>ne at night, after all except 
thc^se engaged in the work had retired to their respec- 
tive places, to sleep and dream perchance of home and 
liberty. 

All traces of their nocturnal labors were cleared 
away and closed up before the morning light. The 
first tunnel was commenced near the south wall, with 
the intention of running throuirh to the sewer under 
Canal street. This plan was found impracticable, on 
account of water flowing in from the sewer. Colonel 
Streight then proposed that an aperture be made in 
the stone wall under the east enJ of the building, and 
the tunnel made under the alley leading from Eigh- 



100 

teenth street to Carey street. The proposition was at 
once adopted, and the work begun. The basement 
from whence this tunnel was commenced, was very 
spacious and dark, and rarely opened, and, as has been 
before mentioned, had the appearance of not being 
cleaned for years. Hence it was no trouble to conceal 
and dispose of the earth taken from the excavation. 

At the base of the east wall, and about twenty feet 
from the Carey street front, was the entrance to the 
tunnel, which was hidden when the work was not 
going on by a large rock which fitted the aperture ex- 
actly. Its passage lay directly beneath the tread of 
three sentinels, who walked the breadth of the east end 
of the prison, across a paved alley-way, a distance of 
more than fifty feet, breaking up inside of the inclosure 
in the rear of the building known as Carres warehouse. 
So nicely was the distance guaged, that the inside of 
the inclosure was struck precisely at the point desired. 
The whole length of the tunnel was about sixty feet, 
with a diameter just large enough for a large sized man 
to pass through, though in one of the curvatures 
worked around a rock it was smaller; here Colonel 
Streight, who by the way is somewhat inclined to cor- 
pulency, stuck fast^ and was compelled to back out, and 
divest himself of coat, vest and shirt, when he was able 
to squeeze through, pulling the garments aforesaid 
through with a string after him. 

The time consumed in digging this subterranean 
route to liberty was about three weeks. Several weeks, 
however, had been employed in fruitless efforts to make 
an opening in other directions, before this route was 
projected. The work was completed on the night of 
February the 8th, 1863, and about nine o'clock the 
evening of the 9th, those engaged in the enterprise 



AND HOW TREATED. 101 

commenced passing out; a knowledge of the hole then 
became general, and each one at once resolved to go 
out. The scene that followed was truly amusing and 
ludicrous — officers disengaging themselves from the 
blankets in which they had wrapped up for the night, 
and running hither and thither, begging, borrow- 
ing, stealing and buying a few crusts of corn bread, 
meat, or other edibles of whatever description they 
could get, anything to stay the cravings of nature for 
a day or two, or until they could find a friendly negro. 

But of the seven hundred, or eight hundred men, 
that crowded, jammed and pushed around the entrance 
to the little avenue that led to freedom, only one hun- 
dred and nine, from nine o'clock Tuesday evening 
until daylight Wednesday morning, succeeded in get- 
ting to it and escaping. 

The discovery was first made at the daily morning 
count, when the number of prisoners fell alarmingly 
short. The roll was then resorted to, as is always the 
case when the count does not correspond with the 
number booked. The calling of the roll consumed 
nearly four hours, and out of the one thousand and 
fifty odd officers confined in the prison the day previous, 
one hundred and nine w^ere found to be missing. At 
first they suspicioned that the guards had been bribed, 
and connived at the escape; this supicion we tried to 
strengthen, hoping that the true manner of their de- 
parture might remain a secret until another night, 
which would give a hundred more an opportunity of 
bidding our rebel hosts farewell, or rather of taking 
French leave without settling our board bill, or using 
that parting salutation. 

The officer of the guard, and the sentinels on duty 
the night previous, were accordingly placed under ar- 



102 THE PRISONER OF WAK, 

rest by Major Turner, and after being searched for 
money or other evidences of their criminality, confined 
in Castle Thunder, in order that further developments 
might either establish their innocence or fix their guilt 
upon them. In the meantime Major Turner and Lieu- 
tenant LaTouche made a thorough inspection of the 
basement of the prison, which slopes downwards from 
Carey street towards the river dock. The entrance to 
the tunnel was discovered, although at that time hid- 
den by the large rock which fitted the aperture exactly. 
This stone rolled away from the mouth of the sepulchre, 
revealed the avenue which led to the outer world, and 
through which one hundred and odd Yankees had re- 
cently journeyed. A small negro boy was sent into 
the tunnel on a tour of exploration, and by the time 
Turner and LaTouche gained the outside of the build- 
ing, a shout from the negro announced his arrival at 
the terminus of the subterranean route. 

Couriers were early dispatched in every direction, 
and the pickets double posted on all the roads and 
bridges. Dick Turner and a posse of the prison at- 
taches galloped off, the redoubtable Dick swearing that 
he would bring Streight back dead or alive; he re- 
turned, however, in a few hours without seeing Streight; 
and I am inclined to the opinion that it was well for 
him that he did not, for in all probability if he had, he 
would now be enjoying warmer quarters than the cell 
in the basement of Libby prison. 

The following account of the affair is from the Kich- 
mond Dispatch. It will be seen from this that the 
manner of gaining admittance to the cellar was not 
discovered by the rebel ofiicials. It was the impression 
among them for a long time, in fact until informed 
better by one of our own ofiicers, that the basement 



AND HOW TREATED. 103 

was entered as stated in the following newspaper arti- 
cle. Fifty-five of the one hundred and nine succeeded 
in getting through to our lines: 

"Important Escape of Yankee Prisoners — Over 
Fifty Feet of Ground Tunneled. — The most import- 
ant escape of Federal prisoners which has occurred 
during the war took place at the Libbj prison some- 
time during last Tuesday night. Of the eleven hun- 
dred Yankee officers confined therein, one hundred and 
nine failed to answer to their names at roll-call yester- 
day morning. Embraced in this number were eleven 
Colonels, seven Majors, thirty-two Captains, and fifty- 
nine Lieutenants. The following is a list of the Colo- 
nels and Majors : 

" Colonel A. D. Streight, of the Fifty-First Indiana 
regiment, a notorious character captured in Tennessee 
by General Forrest, and charged with having raised a 
negro regiment ; Colonel "W". G. Ely, of the Eighteenth 
Connecticut; Colonel J. F. Boyd, of the Twentieth 
army corps ; Colonel H. C. Hobart, of the Twenty- 
First Wisconsin ; Colonel W, P. Kendrick, of the Third 
West Tennessee cavalry ; Colonel W. B. McCreary, of 
the Twenty-First Michigan ; Colonel Thomas E. Kose, 
of the Seventy-Seventh Pennsylvania; Colonel J. P. 
Spoftbrd, of the Ninety- Seventh ITew York; Colonel 
C. W. Tilden, of the Sixteenth Maine ; Colonel T. S. 
West, of the Twenty-Fourth Wisconsin ; Colonel D. 
Miles, of the JSTineteenth Pennsylvania; Major J. P. 
Collins, of the Twenty-Mnth Indiana; Major G. W 
Fitzsimmons, of the Thirty-Seventh Indiana; Majo_ 
J. H. Hooper, of the Fifteenth Missouri; Major B. 
B. Macdonald, of the One Hundredth Ohio ; Major A. 
Von Mitzel, of the Seventy-Fourth Pennsylvania ; Ma- 



104 

jor I. IST. "Walker, of the Seventy-Third Indiana ; Ma- 
jor J.. A. Henry, of the Fifth Ohio. 

" Immediately on discovering the absence of these 
prisoners some excitement was created among the Con- 
federate officers in charge of the prison, and in a short 
time every means was adopted to ascertain the manner 
of their escape. At first Major Turner was inclined to 
the opinion that the sentinels on duty had been bribed 
to pass them out, and this impression was strengthened 
by the assertion of the Yankees remaining behind that 
the work had been accomplished through means of 
heavy fees, which had been paid a Confederate officer 
in the building, and his influence over the guard in 
their behalf. On learning this the order was given to 
place the guard under arrest and commit them to Cas- 
tle Thunder. Not feeling satisfied about the matter, 
the Major and Lieutenant La Touche determined to 
leave no stone unturned to ferret out the mystery, and 
thereupon proceeded to institute a search in every di- 
rection for further information. After a fruitless ex- 
amination of every part of the building where it was 
thought possible for a man to escape, they were about 
abandoning further investigation, when the idea struck 
them that some clue might be obtained by going into 
the lot on the opposite side of the street, when a large 
hole was soon discovered in the corner of one of the 
stalls of a shed which had been used as a stable, and on 
a line with the street running between it and the Libby 
prison. This discovery fully satisfied them that they 
had found out the means by which the escape had been 
made, and their next step was to trace out the spot 
where the tunneling was commenced. Some few yards 
from the eastern end of the building, in the basement, 
it was found that a large piece of granite, about three 



AND HOW TREATED. 105 

feet by two, had been removed from the foundation, 
and a tunnel extending fifty-nine feet across the street, 
eastward, into a vacant lot formerly known as Carr's 
warehouse, cut through. This tunnel was about seven 
feet from the surface of the street, and from two and a 
half to three feet square. The lot in which the exca- 
vation emptied is several feet below the street, and the 
fleeing prisoners, when they emerged from the tunnel, 
found themselves on level ground. Running on Gary 
street is a brick building, through the center of which 
is a large arch, with a wooden gate to permit egress 
and ingress to and from the lot. By this route they 
got into Canal street, and keeping close to the eaves 
of the building they succeeded in eluding the vigilance 
of the sentinels on duty. The prisoners are confined 
in the second story of the Libby prison, and the first 
and basement stories had to be attained before the 
mouth of the tunnel could be reached. From the first 
floor leading to the basement there was formerly a 
stairway, but since the building has been in use as a 
prison the aperture at the head of the steps has been 
closed with very heavy planks. 

*' By some means the prisoners would cut through both 
these floors, when they wished to gain the cellar, and 
when they had passed down closed up the holes with 
the planks which had been taken out, so neatly that it 
could not be discovered. The cellar covers the whole 
area of the building, and is only used as a place for 
storing away meal, &c., for the use of the prison. It 
being very large only the front part was required, and 
therefore the back part of it, which is considerably be- 
low Gary street, is scarcely ever visited. The dirt 
which accumulated as the work progressed was spread 
about this part of the basement and then covered over 



106 

with a large quantity of straw which has been depos- 
ited therein. It is not known how long the operatives 
in this stupendous undertaking have been engaged; 
but, when the limited facilities which they possessed ia 
taken into consideration, there can be no doubt that 
months have elapsed since the work was first begun. 
The whole thing was skillfully managed and bears the 
impress of master minds and indomitable perseverance. 

" Sometime since a Yankee Captain was found in the 
cellar, and on being taken before Major Turner, all 
smeared up vvnth meal, he gave as his excuse for being 
there that he did not get enough to eat and was look- 
ing for something to make bread with. This was 
doubtless a falsehood, and his only business was to assist 
in the work which they had in hand. 

^' There seems to be no doubt that further escape 
through this avenue was contemplated, and the earn- 
estness with which the prisoners who remained be- 
hind tried to throw the blame upon the guard was only 
done to prevent further inquiry into the matter, and 
thereby leave the tunnel open for others to pass through. 
Probably one more night might have emptied the 
prison of the whole number confined therein. 

" Yesterday workmen were engaged in stopping up 
the passage which had been made from the prison, and 
it may now safely be relied on that no other prisoners 
will ever take their departure from the Libby against 
the knowledge and consent of the ofiicers in charge. 

*'As soon as the facts of the escape became fully 
known, orders were received by Colonel Brown, com- 
manding the cavalry battalion for local defense, that a 
detachment of his force should immediately scour the 
surrounding country in pursuit of them, and accord- 
ingly twenty-five men from each company soon started 



AND HOW TREATED. 107 

off for that purpose. Four of the prisoners who suc- 
ceeded in getting out were, late in the afternoon, re- 
captured and brought back. They had gotten about 
twenty-two miles from the city before they were over- 
taken. It is hardly probable, from the steps which 
have been taken to prevent it, that many of them will 
succeed in reaching the Yankee lines." 

It will be seen from the above, that extraordinary ef- 
forts were made by the rebels for the recapture of the 
escaped Yankees, with what success has been already 
stated. A history of the adventures, toil and suffer- 
ing of the fifty-four who reached the Union lines, 
would, alone, form a truly interesting volume. From 
the conversation I have had with several of them since 
I escaped myself from rebel clutches, I am able to give 
the following sketches of their weary pilgrimage to 
the land of liberty. I will first follow Colonel Streight 
and Captain Scearce of the Fifty-First Indiana, and 
Major McDonald and Lieutenant Sterling, of the One 
Hundredth Ohio Volunteers, on their march north- 
ward. 

They left Libby early in the evening, only three or 
four others having went through the tunnel before 
them. Emerging from the long, dark passage, they 
came up inside of the enclosure in the rear of the 
building, known as Carr's warehouse, from whence 
they passed off, singly, through an arched gateway, to 
Canal street, passing around the south and west sides 
of Libby prison, within a few feet of the sentinels on 
duty. As they were proceeding along Eighteenth 
street a man -ran out of a grocery and commanded 
them to halt. The order not being complied with, he 
followed them several rods, repeating it every few yards. 
This gave them some uneasiness, not that they had any 



108 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

thought of surrendering to one man, but they feared 
he would keep up the chase and demands for them to 
halt, until the attention of other parties was attracted, 
and a crowd collected, when any attempt at resistance 
would be useless. He proved, however, to be only a 
drunken soldier, and had mistaken the fugitive Yankees 
for some of his comrades w^hom he wished to join. 
Without further incident or molestation they pro- 
ceeded as according to previous arrangement made 
with Mrs. Abbey Green, with whom they had been 
corresponding, through the agency of a colored boy 
who was allowed access to the prison, to the house of 
a negro woman, who immediately notified Mrs. Green 
of their arrival. That lady at once obeyed the sum- 
mons, and winding through the dark and narrow al- 
leys, was soon in close consultation with them in 
regard to future movements. 

Leaving the negro hut, Mrs. Green directed her 
course to the house of Mr. Quarrelles, the absconding 
prisoners following in pairs within sight. The whole 
party finally arrived at this gentleman's residence, 
where they found Mrs. L. A. Rice, a lady with whom 
they had also been corresponding while in prison. 
She kindly gave up her rooms to the escaped prisoners, 
and made purchases of under clothing for them, also 
provisions for their subsistence on their journey north- 
ward ; in fact, the Union people with whom they 
came in contact, seemed to vie with each other in 
their exertions for the comfort and safety of Colonel 
Streight and his companions. 

During their stay at the house of Mr. Quarrelles 
they were visited by several Union men, who furnished 
them with money, revolvers and ammunition. Several 
of them also went out on pretext of hunting game, to 



AND HOW TREATED. KJQ 

reconnoiter the position of the rebel lines, and ascer- 
tain the most safe and practicable place to pass their 
pickets. One Union man visited Libbj prison the 
morning following the escape, for the purpose of gain- 
ing what information he could in regard to the plans 
and extent of the preparations made for the recapture 
of the runaways. While there he learned that the 
officials connected with the prison, from General Win- 
der down, were very lugubrious over the escape of 
Colonel Streight, and talked as though they would be 
content for all the other prisoners to get through 
safely, if they only could get the Colonel again in their 
clutches, either alive or dead. It would appear, how- 
ever, from the instructions given the parties sent out 
for his recapture, that they preferred having him in 
the latter condition, as the order was to kill him if 
found. So anxious w^ere the Richmond officials and 
the rebels of that city for the recapture or murder of 
Streight, that the Dispatch got up a canard that he had 
been killed up the James Elver Canal, and his body 
brought to the city ; when this was discovered to be 
false, a rumor was circulated that he was still lurking 
about Richmond, and had been seen in a certain build- 
ing on Main street; a search was immediately insti- 
tuted on said premises for the Yankee Colonel, of 
which the following amusing account appeared in the 
Richmond Examiner: 

"Seeing Streight. — Between four and five o'clock on 
Tuesday afternoon, a posse of Government detectives 
and guards bustled into the office of Messrs. Mahoney 
and Hunt, dentists, on the first floor of number two 
hundred and eleven Main street, between ninth and 
tenth streets. Their spokesman, detective Craddock, 
after taking in sufficient breath, inquired, ''I want to 



110 

see Streight ! " 'Now the officer was not cross-eyed, so 
Doctor Hunt replied, " well, if you want to see Streight 
you can do so when you find him ; but he is not in my 
keeping." The detective and his posse laughed. 
" Now, come, trot him out, we know he is here ; for he 
was seen here yesterday." Doctor Hunt and his part- 
ner were getting annoyed. "Would the posse search 
his apartments?" That they would. So the doctor 
led them straightway to the business of overturning 
and ransacking things. They penetrated his wardrobe, 
spilled over his couch, looked straight up the chimney, 
and it is said even looked into his dentist bowl, shav- 
ing cup and bottles for the lilliputian form of whiskey 
Straight. They descended into the basement, recon- 
noitered the four corners of it, and straightway returned. 
Had a microscope been handy they would have looked 
into things a little closer. But they were not to be put 
off without Streight; so the whole posse took up a 
straight bee line for the second story. Now it so hap- 
pened that it was here that Pharoah had set up one of 
Lis tabernacles, and hard by was the secret jungle of 
"ye tiger.'' And when they that sat with Pharoah, 
watching the gamboling of "ye tiger," heard of the 
entrance and searching below, and the feet of men 
upon the stairs, they said, "Truly, the Tycoon and his 
mandarin be upon us," and straightway broke for the 
roof, the coat tails of several prominent members of 
the lower House, whisking in mad haste to the upper 
House, the skylight and the roof. 

" Meanwhile, the report spread that Colonel A. D. 
Streight and several of his officers were in the house, 
and that the search for them was then progressing. 
Hundreds of excited citizens rushed to the spot, and in 
five minutes the house was surrounded, front and rear. 



AND HOW TREATED. Ill 

The flight of the card party seemed to confirm the re- 
port, and as the Egyptians were seen running and 
leaping from roof to roof, the cry arose on all sides, 
" here they go, there they go ! there's Streight !" (gen- 
tleman in black, with hair straight on end and coat tail 
straight out), " shoot him, shoot him ! " The situation 
of the people's representatives on the roof was getting 
straightened indeed, as they had much to fear from 
their excited constituents below, who now numbered 
at least a thousand. Several loaded muskets arrived 
upon the scene, followed by any number of plug ugly 
revolvers. Excited citizen in the rear got the range of 
the impromptu Streight and blazed- away at him as he 
dodged between two chimneys, but the excited marks- 
man did not see straight, or shut both eyes and did not 
see at all, and missed him, wounding a chimney se- 
verely. One by one the fugitives disappeared from 
sight, having discovered friendly traps, through which 
they descended, escaping a trap discretion taught them 
to avoid. Still the exciting Yankee hunt was con- 
tinued, and the points of blood-thirsty looking weap- 
ons were elevated, turning around and searching about 
for a target. Doctor Mahoney venturing to examine 
the rear of his yard to see if it was guarded, presented 
his head at the back window, when an urchin j^elled, 
" There he is ; there's Streight ! " and tired at him with 
a pocket pistol, doing no harm, so excited and nervous 
was the hand that held the weapon. Finally, after the 
lapse of about an hour, people regained their senses 
in a measure, and departed in pairs to take whiskey 
straight in lieu of Colonel A. D. Streight. 

There were several negroes in the second story when 
the advance on them was made by the officers, who, in 
stalking for the Yankee Jackal, started the Confeder- 



112 THE PRISONER OP WAR, 

ate tiger. One of them ran, monkey-like, across the 
next roof, descended a trap and fell through a sky- 
light, a distance of thirty feet, striking upon and de- 
molishing the baluster of a stairway in the house of 
Mrs. Eees. The negro was not hurt in the least, and 
picking himself up, scaled a rear portico and was seen 
no more. 

" It appears, from what we have since learned, that the 
search was made upon the strength of information 
communicated to Colonel Ives, of the President's staff, 
in an anonymous letter. The letter stated that Colo- 
nel Streight had been seen there the previous day. 
We suspect that the whole affair was a plot to reveal 
the existence of a violation of the gaming law, as car- 
ried on in the second story, over Messrs. Mahoney and 
Hunt's office^ and with which they have nothing to do. 
About seven o'clock the same evening there was an- 
other excitement at the same place, in consequence of 
men being seen passing rapidly from one roof to an- 
other on a ladder thrown across. It was Streight 
again, making his exit from his hiding place, and 
straightway there was another hubbub. 

The whole story of Streight's presence in Richmond 
may be set down as a straight-out-and-out " sell " of 
very huge calibre." 

At the same time this exciting hunt for Streight was 
going on, he and his whole party were lying concealed 
as before mentioned, and had the satisfaction of read- 
ing the above account the next morning after it trans- 
pired, also the DispatcKs account of the Colonel's 
murder up the canal. They remained at the house of 
Mr. Quarrells one week, recruiting strength fof the 
long and dangerous journey before them. At nine 
o'clock in the evening of the eighth day of their stay 



AND HOW TREATED. 113 

in Richmond, accompanied by a guide, and two deser- 
ters from Camp Lee, well armed and provided with 
provisions, they started out on the long weary march 
northward; after passing outside the works and forti- 
fications, unseen by the troops on duty there, they 
directed their course by a small pocket compass about 
fifteen degrees east of north, and the same night crossed 
the Chickahominy river within full view of the rebel 
pickets. Here one of the deserters who had started 
with the party from Richmond became frightened and 
left, causing some anxiety in the minds of the fugitives, 
lest he should betray them to the troops doing duty 
along the course of the river. The second night out 
the whole party suftered severely, the weather being 
extremely cold, and they thinly clad and without blan- 
kets, and dare not build fires, which might attract 
attention and be the means of leading to their recap- 
ture. They traveled next night, avoiding all roads, 
but the whole party was already so much fatigued and 
their legs and feet so much swollen, that they were able 
to make only a few miles in the direction of the happy 
land they were seeking. The next day was so in- 
tensely cold, that fatigued and worn out as they were, 
they were obliged to keep moving to prevent perish- 
ing. During this day^s march, they arrived on the 
south bank of the Pamuukey river, which they found 
flowing with great huge cakes of ice that jammed and 
crushed each other, producing a noise like the roar 
of a dozen Niagaras; to cross this stream was of the 
utmost importance for the present safety of the fugi- 
tives. But how was this to be accomplished? there 
was no boat at hand, or any place in the vicinity that 
one could be procured, and even if they had a boat it 
seemed like madness to attempt pushing it through 
(8) 



114 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

the surging waters, and between the vast acres of ice 
floating with the current, sweeping every thing before 
it. To delay was hazarding their liberty, to push 
forward seemed certain destruction ; they were brave 
and determined men, and the situation made them 
desperate; they, therefore, resolved on building a raft 
of rails, poles and bark, and trust their fate to the 
angry element in preference to the ferocious dogs and 
savage men in pursuit. The raft completed, all got 
aboard, and soon the frail craft, in obedience to the 
propelling power of its cargo of human freight, was 
dodging through the crevices, and into the open spaces 
formed by the cracking and splits in the ice fields. 
After an hour of peril and incessant labor, the north 
bank of the stream was safely reached, and with a 
shout of triumph and gladness the whole party stepped 
on shore. But before the top of the bank was gained, 
they were discovered hy a squad of rebel scouts. "Was 
it possible they had periled their lives crossing the 
fearful stream to fall immediately in the hands of the 
enemy, and be again consigned to the horrid dungeons 
and cells of the Richmond prisons? I^o, fortune fa- 
vored them; the rebel soldiery, winding through the 
swamp and tangled brush and cedars, lost sight of 
them, of which they took advantage and securely con- 
cealed themselves in a dense pine thicket, where they 
remained undisturbed until after nightfall, when they 
again started on their weary pilgrimage, avoiding as 
usual all public roads. This night's march brought 
them to the Mattaponi river, which, like tlie Pamun- 
key, was running full of ice, but they fortunately found 
a very good boat, and crossed with but little difficulty; 
and soon afterwards gray streaks of light began making 
their appearance in the east, warning the fugitives that 



AND HOW TREATED. 115 

their safety demanded they should select a place of 
concealment until the dark shades of night again en- 
veloped the earth. After a suitable pkice was secured, 
a small fire was built to heat the sand, in which they 
would bury their feet during the day to keep them 
from freezing. They dare not risk building a fire after 
sunrise, lest the smoke should attract attention and 
lead to their discovery and recapture. 

The fifth night, out, they traveled over an extremely 
rough country, through tangled brush and briers. In 
the latter part of the night they met a negro, from 
v/hom they learned that they were in the vicinity of 
Eappahannock Station; and from the information 
gained from him, they concluded it was best to 
bivouac in a swamp about two miles from the village. 
The ice was running in large quantities in the Eappa- 
hannock river, making a rumbling noise that could be 
heard for miles. The w^eather was still very cold, 
consequently in their thinly clad condition they suf- 
fered extremely with the frost; their stock of provis- 
ions was also about exhausted, but a negro fortunately 
discovered them in their hiding place, and conducted 
them to his hut, and gave them an abundant supply 
of corn bread and bacon. The next morning they 
were discovered and pursued by soldiers, citizens and 
hounds; they pushed on, however, and when the do^s 
came up they fed and urged them on, as though they 
were not the party whose trail they were scenting. 
During the day two of the party gave out from over 
exertion and loss of sleep, and had to be supported by 
the others in order to get along. They were surroun- 
ded by the rebels in pursuit three times, but by con- 
cealing themselves in the laurel thickets, and fre- 
quently changing their location, they were able to hold 



116 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

out until night, when they felt quite safe, although 
surrounded on the east, north and west by water, and 
on the south by a chain of rebel pickets, which left 
them in a space, the area of which did not exceed two 
miles in width and five miles in length, with about six 
hundred soldiers and a large number of citizens, with 
several packs of hounds on their track. 

That night they went to a plantation, and was hid 
by the negroes in one of their huts, while the darkies 
themselves went with their masters to join in the hunt 
for the runaway Yankee officers. The negroes found 
a boat of at least forty tons burthen, anchored on the 
opposite side of a stream about two hundred yards 
wide, which empties in the Rappahannock river. 
About ten o'clock, p. m., they started for the vessel, 
accompanied by the negroes; arriving at the stream, 
a raft was quickly constructed and pushed out to- 
wards the boat, which was soon reached, and all got 
aboard, including the negroes, who assisted to row the 
vessel down the bayou to the river, and then returned 
to the plantation. The Rappahannock, which at this 
point is three miles wide, was crossed without diffi- 
culty, and the boat then turned adrift. The follow- 
ing day they rested in the pine thickets as usual, 
and at night started out, marching in great pain 
through woods, swamps, and over hills, arriving about 
daylight on the bank of the Potomac river, opposite 
Blackstone's Island, when they met a negro who di- 
rected them to the house of a Union man, (a German,) 
who was the owner of a boat; with him they remained 
until night, when they went to the river to cross, the 
German and two or three of his friends at the same 
time going up to the bayou where the vessel was 
moored to bring it into the river. While on this mis- 



AND HOW TREATED. 117 

sion they were discovered by a squad of rebel soldiers, 
(about twenty,) who, supposing it was Colonel Streight 
and his party, opened fire on them, wounding one 
and capturing the others. But our Yankee friends, 
unobserved, "retreated in good order," where they 
secreted themselves, occasionally "changing their 
base," until the next night, when they went back to 
the house of their German friend, from whom they 
learned that the rebel soldiery had mistaken him, and 
the men with him, for escaped prisoners. They re- 
mained at this place for two days, waiting for an op- 
portunity to cross the Potomac river, which at this 
point is eight miles wide; w^hile here they were in full 
view of a part of the Potomac flotilla, which they re- 
peatedly signalled with a white shirt, but no notice 
was taken of it by any of the vessels. 

The German finally succeeded in getting a boat from 
a friend some miles further up the river. They then 
eet sail for Blackstone's Island, and arrived there at 
two o'clock, A. M., the twenty-eighth day of February, 
and were kindly received at the house of Dr. Williams. 
The next day they took passage with acting Commo- 
dore Parker, of the Potomac squadron, and arrived in 
Washington the first of March. 

A long, weary, and perilous pilgrimage had been 
theirs. Eleven days and nights of watching and 
anxiety, of cold and hunger, of peril and hairbreadth 
escapes, of threading thickets and marshes, of crossing 
streams, and shelterless sleeping on the ground, of 
lacerated feet and frost bitten hands, of alternating 
hope and despair, was their varied and bitter expe- 
riences. But it was liberty they sought, and they 
gained it Bravery, energy, perseverance, the kindly 
moon and polar star, and the negro guide, brought 



118 THE PRISONER OP WAR, 

them safe within our lines. Freedom, friends, and 
the protecting folds of the stars and stripes, was their 
reward. 



CHAPTER IX 



KILPATRICK S ATTEMPT TO RELEASE THE PRISONER. 

Demonstrations on the rebel Capital by the Union 
cavalry, during our sojourn there, were of frequent oc- 
currence, but generally resulted in nothing more than 
giving Jeff. Davis and the rebel officials a *' big scare," 
and carrying off a few negroes. The last of these 
movements was the famous raid of General Kilpatrick 
in February, when the brave and lamented Dahlgren 
yielded up his gallant young life a noble sacrifice on 
the altar of his country — the bullet of a cowardly and 
concealed foe mortally wounding him while with his 
command protecting the rear of Kilpatrick's retreat- 
ing column. 

In the earlier stages of the war, reports were in cir- 
culation to the effect that the rebel soldiery carried 
from the bloody field of Manassas the bones of our 
gallant dead, and afterwards manufactured them into 
rings and ornaments which they sent home as trophies 
to their female friends, who, wearing them, would 
point to the ring on the finger, or the cross swinging 
from the neck, and with savage pride boast that the 
one was made from a Yankee's skull, and the other 
from the bones of his limbs* These stories, although 

(119) 



120 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

extensively circulated, received but little credit. Our 
people could not realize the possibility of civlized men 
and women sinking to a depth of barbarism that would 
prompt such inhuman and malicious outrages on the 
bodies of their dead fellow- beings. But these acts, 
even if true, were human and christian when compared 
with the fiendish mutilation and disposition of the body 
of the murdered Dahlgren. What this was, we only 
know from their own statements, and give the follow- 
ing account of it from the Richmond Examiner: 

** Dahlgren's body was boxed up at Walkerton on 
Sunday and brought to Richmond, with the object, we 
understand, of its positive identification, and the es- 
tablishment of the fact of the finding of the infamous 
documents upon it, all of which has been attested by 
witnesses. Henceforth the name of Dahlgren is linked 
with eternal infamy, and in the years to come defense- 
less woman and innocent childhood will peruse, with 
a sense of shrinking horror, the story of Richmond's 
rescue from the midnight sack and ravage led by Dahl- 
gren. It would seem something of the curse he came 
to bestow upon others lighted upon his own carcass, 
when it fell riddled by avenging Southern bullets. 
Stripped, robbed of every valuable, the fingers cut of£ 
for the sake of the diamond rings that encircled them, 
when the body was found by those sent to take charge 
of it, it was lying in a field stark naked, with the ex- 
ception of the stockings. Some humane persons had 
lifted the corpse from the pike and thrown it over into 
the field, to save it from the hogs. The artificial leg 
worn by Dahlgren was removed, and is now at General 
Elzey's headquarters. It is of most beautiful design 
and finish. 

Yesterday afternoon the body was removed from the 



AND HOW TREATED. 121 

car that brought it to the York River railroad depot, 
and given to the spot of earth selected to receive it. 
Where that spot is no one but those concerned in its 
burial know or care to tell. It was a dog's burial, 
without coffin, winding sheet or service. Friends and 
relatives at the Korth need inquire no further; this is 
all they will know — he is buried a burial that befitted 
the mission upon which he came. He has "swept 
through the city of Richmond" on a pine bier, and 
"written his name" on the scroll of infamy, instead of 
"on the hearts of his countrymen," never to be erased. 
He "asked the blessing of Almighty God" on his mis- 
sion of rapine, murder and blood, and the Almighty 
cursed him instead." 

Copies of the orders issued by Colonel Dahlgreu to 
his troops were found upon his person. "What pur- 
ported to be verbatim copies of these orders were pub- 
lished in the Richmond papers, but they were too ridic- 
ulous and absurd to be credited by any except mis- 
guided and blinded rebels, as the addresses of a com- 
manding officer to his troops. According to these 
neither age nor sex was to be spared, nor mercy nor 
quarter shown — all was to be put to the sword. 

This expedition of Kilpatrick's, although a portion 
of his troops came in sight of the rebel Capital — in 
fact inside of the outer works protecting that strong- 
hold of treason — from some cause proved a most la- 
mentable and disastrous failure. 

PLOT TO BLOW UP THE PRISON. 

We now come to a chapter in the history of the in- 
famous rebellion just conquered by the armies of the 
Union, which, in its wicked design and malignity, sur- 



122 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

passes any act of cruelty on the black records of crime. 
Kilpatrick's force was greatly overestimated by the 
rebel officials in Richmond ; the design of the expedi- 
tion was also somewhat shrouded in mystery. It was 
supposed by them, however, that it contemplated the 
release of the Union prisoners of war confined there. 
At this time there were but a few regular troops in the 
defenses of the city, consequently they did not feel very 
sanguine of their ability to hold the place against a 
sudden dash of cavalry. But they resolved that, un- 
der no circumstances, should the officers and prisoners 
of war confined in Libby be returned to their friends 
and the defense of their country by being released 
with force of arms; and a project for our destruction 
that would shock even the cruel nature of a Nena 
Sahib was planned, and ready to be executed the mo- 
ment the Union forces entered the city. 

An excavation w^as made in the cellar of the prison 
in which was placed several hundred pounds of pow- 
der, and a fuse attached ready to ignite and blow the 
building, inmates, and all to atoms, in case they were 
unable to repulse Kilpatrick. 

The evidence of the existence of this scheme to de- 
stroy the prisoners by blowing up the building with 
gunpowder was abundant, and the source from whence 
it came such that its truth could not be questioned. 
The operation of placing the powder there was seen by 
our men confined in the cell, and by the negroes quar- 
tered in that part of the prison, who were afterwards 
removed to another apartment and warned to keep 
away from their old place. The Eichmond Sentinel, 
referring to the matter, said such measures had been 
adopted by the prison officials that the Yankee officers 
would never be released by Federal troops. Dick Tur- 



AND now TREATED. 123 

ner himself remarked to one of our officers that if Kil- 
patrick had succeeded in getting into the city, Libby 
and every d — d Yankee in it wouki have been blown 
to h — 11 before they should have been released. 

It is well for the city of Richmond that this horrible 
plot was not executed, as no power on earth could have 
restrained the desire of the Union soldier for vengeance, 
and to-day there would only be a huge pile of brick 
and stone — smouldering ruins of the Confederate capi- 
tal to mark the place where the treasonable city once 
stood. 

REMOVAL FROM LIBBY. 

'Tis May sixth, 1864; eight days more and we will 
have been here one year, a year of torturing anxiety, 
conflicting hopes and fears; a year of suiFering, depri- 
vation and inhuman treatment; a year lost to our- 
selves, to our country and our friends, except, perhaps, 
we have acquired in a greater degree the virtue of pa- 
tience and the ability to meet, with fortitude and re- 
signation, the fate that the fortunes of war have im- 
posed upon us. 

May sixth — a day long to be remembered in the 
history of our country has passed with the usual dull, 
monotonous routine of duties, occupations and amuse- 
ments, and the sombre shades of night again envelop 
Libby and its inmates, nearl}^ all of whom have sought 
their respective places on the floor and earnestly court 
sleep, that blissful relief for the weary, suff*ering and 
heart-sore prisoner. But ere Morpheus established his 
supremacy through the apartments of Libby, we were 
startled by an order from the prison commandant to be 
ready to march at one o'clock the next morning. Dis- 



124 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

order and confusion followed this order ; every one was 
instantly busily engaged "packing up" with the in- 
tention of taking with him the few articles of comfort 
he had remaining of what had been sent from home, 
but an order comes from the authorities that we will 
not be allowed to take anything with ns more than we 
are able to carry to Petersburg, to which point it is an- 
nounced we will have to march. But where are they 
going to take us ? is the question anxiously passed 
from one to another. Some over-sanguine individual 
who, perhaps, has been but a short time a resident of 
Libby, feels quite certain that we are going to be ex- 
changed, as he had some time previous heard Major 
Turner say that the exchange would be almost certain 
to come when no one was expecting it. It was also 
argued by some that the authorities would not send us 
ofi* unless it was for exchange, without allowing us to 
take with us those articles we had received from friends 
in the North. Verily those uniniated "fresh fish" 
have since had good cause for changing their opinion 
of the consideration and regard rebel ofiicials had for 
the feelings and comfort of Yankee prisoners of war. 
Very few. however, took stock in exchange, but all were 
glad to hid farewell to Libby, even though it was to en- 
ter another prison. 

It is true we had heard of the terrible ravages of dis- 
ease among our soldiers confined in the pest-houses at 
Danville, and of the horrors of the Andersonville prison 
pen. But to those of us who had endured for a dozen 
long months the deprivations of Libby life — never, for 
a moment, walking abroad into the outer world, and 
never breathing for once the pure air of heaven — any 
change was desirable. 

At one o'clock on the morning of the seventh, they 



AND HOW TREATED. 125 

commenced counting us out of Libby ; this operation 
consumed the time until daylight, as each one was re- 
quired to answer to his name as he passed out. As we 
lay in Carey street in front of the accursed building 
within whose hated walls we had been confined for so 
long a time, although still surrounded b}^ rebel bayo- 
nets, we felt that we were free ; we once more breathed 
the fresh, pure air, and the beams of the morning sun 
again shone on us, what a happy transition, it almost 
made us feel that we were going home, to liberty and 
the defense of our country. But we were still in the 
hands of the enemy, and many months of sufiering, 
cold, hunger and semi-starvation was yet in store for 
us. And many of our number, alas ! were going to the 
far off South never to return, and their bones now 
moulder around the prison hells at Salsbury, Ander- 
sonvills, Macon, Millen, Charleston and Columbia. 

When we bid good by to Libby, we rejoiced that we 
were out of the hands of those fiendish monsters in hu- 
man shape. General Winder, Mnjor Turner, command- 
ant of the prison, and Dick Turner, inspector of the 
same. 

Soon after daylight our motley crowd of half nude 
men was marched to the Danville depot to take the 
cars for that place. The story that we would have to 
march to Petersburg being a rebel lie, for the purpose 
of compelling us to leave in the Libby prison the large 
amount of sugar, coffee, tea, &c., that we had on hand, 
and which had been sent us from home. When we 
left Libby we were placed under charge of Captain 
Tabb, of whom more anon. 

Arriving at Danville we were crowded into two frame 
buildings, where we were confined in lerss than half the 
space we had enjoyed in Libby. In fact No. 3 prison, 



126 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

in which I was confined, the w^hole space allotted us 
was completely covered at night when all were stretched 
out on the floor to sleep, and even in this crowded con- 
dition vve were not allowed a breeze of fresh air, the 
narrow window^s being tightly boarded up two-thirds 
of the way from bottom to top, consequently the high 
temperature and impurity of the air was such that we 
almost suffocated. One evening, during our stay there, 
the oppressive heat and fetid air became so intolerable 
that one of the prisoners attempted to knock off one 
of the boards nailed over one of the windows, and was 
shot at by the rebel guard on the outside of the build- 
ing. 

We remained at Danville only five days — about the 
same length of time that Jeft". Davis and the heads of 
the departments of the rebel government sojourned 
there nearly, one j^ear afterwards, when fleeing from 
Richmond with the Confederate capital in a carpet- 
bag. 

Before leaving Danville we were furnished by the 
rebel commissary with one pound and a half of corn- 
bread and one-half pound of bacon, and this is all we 
received until we arrived at Augusta, Georgia, three 
da^'s afterwards, consequently those who had to depend 
on the rebels for subsistence during the time (and this 
was nearly all) were absolutely in a famishing condi- 
tion ; yet, notwithstanding this, we were not permit- 
ted to purchase provisions of the numerous peddlers 
and hucksters who crowded around the train at the 
depots and stations at which we stopped along the 
route. 

At Augusta we discovered that Macon was our in- 
tended destination. Up to this time we had no idea 
where we were going, though there were many rumors 



AND HOW TREATED. 127 

curreut in regard to this all-important matter. One 
would say that he had it from good authority that we 
were going to Savannah to be exchanged, while an- 
other would report that he had it from the same source 
that "Texas would be our journey's end." 

Arrived at Macon May Seventeenth, 1864, one year 
and one day from the time w^e entered Libby — a years' 
imprisonment. We could scarcely realize the fact that 
so many of us still survived the hardships and suffer- 
ing of those dozen lonely, cheerless months, and when 
we remembered the friends whom we had seen carried 
out to their final resting places during that time, we 
could not repress a fearful shudder in contemplation of 
the fate awaiting ourselves. 

Crowds of citizens and soldiers, full of eager curi- 
osity, were soon collected around the cars to get a 
glimpse of the distill guished arrivals. From them we 
learned that the " Old Fair Grounds, a delightful place," 
had been put in order for our reception. This was 
glorious news. Was it possible that we were no longer 
to be encompassed by brick walls and iron grates? 
that we were soon to have the privilege of breathing 
the pure air, and enjoying the bright sunshine? 

Two long lines of guards are formed on one side of 
the train, we are then counted out of the cars and in 
between these lines of sentinels. Soon as all are off 
the train, we are ordered forward. We are well pleased 
with the description given of our prospective home for 
the next — we dare not say how many months, for the 
very contemplation sends a thrill of terror through the 
frame, and sickens the heart — perhaps another year; 
each one thinks, probably, his home only for a few days 
or weeks, for many of his comrades have sickened and 
died, and it may be his time next. 



128 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

We tramp along the dusty street around by the Gov- 
ernment machine shops and foundry, in the vicinity of 
which was located the *' Macon Stockade," a huge roof- 
less pen, containing about three acres, made of boards 
sixteen feet in length, nailed perpendicular and close 
together to a railing supported by posts set in the 
ground. Outside of this was a plank walk, upon which 
the sentinels were posted every ten feet, and on the east 
and south sides were two large platforms, upon which 
cannon were mounted. Inside about fifteen feet from 
the outer enclosure, was a picket fence, called the *'dead 
line," which prisoners were not allowed to approach or 
touch under penalty of being shot. 

We had complimented ourselves that we had got out 
of the hands of Major Turner, and that other villain 
of the same name, christened Richard, now "chewing 
the cud of sweet and bitter fancies" in the cell in 
which he had delighted to starve and torture so many 
unfortunate prisoners of war, while in authority at 
Libby Prison. But we soon found out that we had 
gained but little by the change, for Captain Tabb, 
Commandant of the Macon prison, was possessed of 
an equally cruel, vindictive and arbitrary nature as the 
Turners, or Lieutenant La Touche, without the intelli- 
gence or executive ability of either, and was besides a 
drunkard and thief. 

The prisoners sometimes bartered with the rebel 
guards, exchanging watches, finger-rings, knives, and 
other valuables for Confederate money, with which 
we could buy a few articles at exorbitant prices from 
the sutlers. Captain Tabb, by some means, learned of 
these transactions with the guards, and issued an order 
to the effect that any prisoner talking to or tampering ir 
any manner with theguard, would be severely punished 



AND HOW TREATED. 129 

also, that if we had aiiythiog to dispose of, he would 
take it out and sell it for us, at the price put on it by 
the owner, or otherwise return it. One of the pris- 
oners gave him a w^atch and chain to sell for four hun- 
dred dollars, charging him particularly not to dispose 
of it for less. After a few weeks had elapsed he was 
questioned as to the matter, when he replied that he 
had sold them for two hundred dollars. The officer 
noticed that he was wearing the chain himself, and 
interrogated him as to how he came by it, to which he 
made answer that the purchaser gave it to him. The 
officer then demanded of Tabb the return of his prop- 
erty, or the amount in money that he had ordered him 
to sell it for, at the same time threatening an exposi- 
tion of the affair unless the demand was complied with. 
Upon w^hich Captain Tabb took him out , and after 
abusing him with the most shameful and insulting epi- 
thets, had him "bucked" for three hours. The arti- 
cles were finally restored. 

The rations issued us in this prison were slightly bet- 
ter than we had been before receiving. Instead of the 
hard corn bread we got in Libby, and which Lieuten- 
ant Pavey wrote to one of his friends in the naval ser- 
vice would make excellent gunboat plating, we received 
a pint of corn meal per day, which, with a little salt 
and soda that we could purchase, we could make quite 
palatable, in fact it was really astonishing to see the 
variety of dishes manufactured from corn meal ; among 
them we might mention corn-pone, corn cakes, corn 
fritters, corn-meal daft', corn-meal pudding, corn coffee 
and corn dumplings. We also received about two 
ounces per day of rancid bacon, which, for the want of 
salt, had been packed in wood ashes. Our rations were 
occasionally changed, when in lieu of the above arti- 
(9) 



130 

cles, we got a little rice and a few " nigger peas," each 
of which was the habitation of one or more animate 
beings. 

Our facilities for cooking and washing were not very 
extensive. The following were given to each squad of 
one hundred men : eight skillets with covers, four camp 
kettles, thirteen wash-pans and four wooden buckets. 

Cooking out of doors in the hot sun, the rain, or the 
wind and dust, is not very conducive to amiability, and 
under these circumstances many churlish husbands 
have vowed never again to find fault with their better 
half, wJien the roast was a little over-done, or the bis- 
cuit like themselves, somewhat sad. 

A UNION OFFICER MURDERED. 

Just at dark of the evenins^ of June seventeenth, an 
officer belonging to the Forty-fifth ]^ew York Volun- 
teers, returning from the spring where he had been for 
a pail of water, was shot by one of the guards on duty 
at that part of the prison. He was carried up to his 
quarters and every aid and assistance rendered him that 
was in our limited power to give, but the poor fellow 
died before midnight. There were several prisoners 
near by aud standing around him when shot, but none 
of them could assign any reason for the act but the in- 
tention to commit a willful murder. 

The senior officer in prison wrote to Captain Gibbs, 
who was then in command, having some days previous 
relieved the unprincipled Tabb, desiring that the cir- 
cumstances connected with the aflair be investigated. 
The communication was returned, with the following 
insulting indorsement: " Such investigation as may by 
me be deemed proper, will be made in this case. " A 



AND HOW TREATED. 131 

few days after we learned that the guilty homicide had 
been promoted to be a Sergeant, and given thirty days' 
furlough. It was generally understood that rewards 
of this kind were constantly held out to the sentinels 
on duty for like service. 

It is surprising to witness the ingenuity and tact a 
prisoner will bring into requisition to effect an escape, 
and the industry and patient toil and perseverance he 
will displa}^ to accomplish that object. Both at Macon 
and Columbia two or three of the prisoners blacked 
themselves and passed out as negro workmen. At 
Macon one bribed the negro driver of the Sutler's 
wagon, and was taken out in a box, while another se- 
cured himself to the coupling pole and hounds of the 
same wagon and was hauled out in that manner, finally 
getting through to our lines. Others with more pa- 
tience and perseverance, but less tact and daring, tried 
tunneling, and at least a half-dozen of these subtera- 
neous passages were under operation at the same time. 
The mouth of the tunnel was in some one of the sheds 
or shanties occupied by a portion of the prisoners, usu- 
ally under their beds; in one or two instances they 
were started from the place where fires were built in 
the day time for our cullinary labors, so that when the 
Inspector passed through the prison, a blazing fire, 
with pots and kettles hanging over it, in which were 
being cooked our rice or black worm-eaten beans, con- 
cealed the entrance to the tunnel. 

But here, as in Libby, we had traitors in our midst, 
men wearing the uniform of the United States army, 
who for a less reward than Judas received for betray- 
ing his Lord and Master, divulged to the rebel authori- 
ties the plans and schemes of their fellow-prisoners to 
escape from the jaws of death. On the strength of the 



^^2 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

information thus obtained, a search was instituted by 
the Commandant of the prison, which unmasked our 
work and dashed the fond hopes we had indulged in 
for weeks of home and liberty, to the earth. 



CHAPTER X 



REMOVAL FROM MACON. 

Toward the latter part of July General Sherman 
made his famous cavalry raid into the interior of Geor- 
gia, passing around Atlanta and striking the railroads 
east of Macon. Some days previous, in consequence 
of the rapid advance of Sherman on Atlanta, and the 
probability that he would soon occupy that city, which 
would render Macon untenable, the rebel authorities 
commenced moving the prisoners to Charleston. Two 
trains, loaded, had already gone to that place, and the 
remaining prisoners, (about three hundred,) were aboard 
the cars at the Macon depot the morning Stoneman's 
advance came in the vicinity of the city. We had 
been marched out from the prison at one o'clock a. m., 
so as to be ready for the train to leave at daylight, an 
event which we were all anxiously and impatiently 
awaiting, for nothing is so irksome and annoying as to 
be lying still on a railroad train, especially when one is 
along with sixty or seventy companions, squeezed into 
a stock car without seats, and with scarcely room to 
stand, as was the case with us. From the guards we 
learned that Stoneman was heading for the Savannah 
road, the route over which we would pass, which made 
as doubly anxious to be off; and while eargerly listen- 



134 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

ing for the sound of the steam whistle, the signal for 
our departure, we were greeted with a noise of a dif- 
ferent kind, but to us still more welcome. It was the 
report of artillery and musketry in the hands of Union 
soldiers; joy thrilled the heart of every prisoner. Our 
friends had heard the starving wail from Southern 
prisons, and had come to the rescue — happy day ! How 
we complimented ourselves that it had been our for- 
tune to remain at this place, while our comrades had 
been sent to a more secure locality. These were our 
first selfish thoughts, but when we remembered their 
brave, patient suffering through many lonely, weary 
months of deprivations, involuntary tears would start, 
that they wei'e not with us to enjoy the restoration to 
freedom, home and friends, which we regarded as at 
hand. We soon hear the report of fireams more dis- 
tinct and clear — it is from the guns of the rebel sol- 
diers, who have gone out to meet and dispute the en- 
trance of our men to the city. A few shells come 
whizzing through the air and land in the suburbs of 
the town; the noise of the conflict becomes louder 
and clearer, by which we know that the rebels are fall- 
ing back on their works ; and we feel sanguine that ere 
the set of sun Union soldiers will have possession of 
the town, and rebels will occupy our old quarters in the 
stockade. 

While the fight is going on we are taken back and 
turned again inside of the prison pen, which, a few 
hours before, we thought we were leaving forever. 
This, however, did not disconcert us in the least, for 
we still felt confident that Stoneman's force Avould re- 
lease us. We could yet hear the sharp crack of mus- 
ketry and booming cannon which, to us, was music 
sv/eet as the voice of a beloved wife or afiectionate 



AND HOW TREATED. 135 

mother. It encouraged us to hope for deliverance from 
a life of misery. "VYe were still cheered by the clang 
of arms until about two o'clock p. m., when the sound 
began to grow more distant and faint, and finally died 
away till all was quiet as the still morning air which it 
had first broken, and with it died all hope. 

Early next morning many exciting rumors were 
brought into the prison by rebel officers and guards 
concerning the fight of the previous day, and the fate 
of General Stoneman and his command, some saying 
that the whole force, except Stoneman and his body- 
guard, had been captured ; while others affirmed that 
Stoneman was also a prisoner; and, although we made 
due allowance for the usual rebel exagerations of such 
matters, the news had a truly depressing influence on 
the spirits of the prisoners, as our knowledge of the 
fact that he was unable to enter the city, was evidence 
that he had a large force to contend against. On the 
thirty-first of July, being surrounded on all sides by 
an overwhelming force of General Wheeler's cavalry, 
General Stoneman was compelled to surrender, and the 
day following he and about fifty of his officers were 
consigned to the Macon prison. The undertaking to 
release us was a failure, and the brave officers and men 
of General Stoneman's command lost, in the attempt, 
their own liberties, instead of restoring freedom to us. 
On the sixteenth of August all the prisoners then re- 
maining in Macon, were started for Charleston, packed 
in box cars, sixty officers and five guards in each, on 
the route we suffered extremely from intense heat and 
intolerable thirst, yet we were not allowed to open but 
one side of the car, nor leave the train, even with a 
guard, to procure a drink of water. 

The first lot of prisoners that left Macon for Charles- 



136 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

ton, previous to starting, organized a secret society, 
with initiation oaths, pass-words, signs and grips, sim- 
ilar to the '' Council of Five," which, it will be recol- 
lected, existed in Libby prison ; the members were di- 
vided into companies and squads, to each of which was 
appointed a head or chief. Everything was in readi- 
ness for an outbreak whenever an opportunity offered 
for escape. 

"When the prisoners first learned the intention of the 
authorities to send us to Charleston, it was decided by 
the members of this society, that the removal would 
offer a favorable time for carrying their plans into ex- 
ecution. At a preconcerted signal to be given at some 
way-station, the guards inside and outside the cars, 
were to be seized, and their arms and ammunition se- 
cured. This would have been a very easy matter, for 
most of them were Georgia militia, many of whom 
would not even have made a show of resistance. The 
train, in event of success, was to have been stopped 
near Pocotaligo bridge, from which General Foster's 
lines might easily have been reached, being then onl}^ 
ten or twelve miles distant. Why the plan was not ex- 
ecuted has never been fully explained. All the details 
of the arrangement were perfected, most of the arms 
of the guards were either in possession of the prisoners, 
or the caps removed from the tubes, and the cartridges 
from the boxes, so that but feeble resistance, if any, 
would have been offered ; in fact, it is believed the 
whole design could have been consummated without 
the loss of a drop of blood. 

It is alleged that it was through the cowardice of 
the officer chief in command of the organization, that 
the signal for action was not given. 

"We arrived at Charleston on the evening of August 



AND HOW TREATED. 137 

eighteenth ; here, more than in any other city of the 
South, were the signs of the desolation of war. It was, 
indeed, a sad sight to behold the melancholy change 
that the misguided people of the South, by their own 
wicked acts, had brought on their once great commer- 
cial metropolis. Whole rows of buildings, once the 
finest stores and most prosperous portions of the town, 
were but sad evidences of ruin, their mouldering and 
decaying walls tumbling piecemeal with the revolution 
of each successive day. Business, in fact, had scarcely 
a name, while former sumptuous life and social living 
was transformed into a miserable misanthropic exist- 
ence. Hotels were deserted, and the side-walks and 
promenades, usurped once by fashionable belles and 
beaus, were but pathways for a preponderating crowd 
of filthy-looking negroes. Elegant ladies, rolling in 
luxury and wealth, who once wore silks and satins, 
were costumed in calicoes and muslins. Fashion, as 
regards dress, had deserted her throne, giving place to 
the sway of old styles and antiquated, seedy garments. 
Cheerfulness is no longer a characteristic of Southern 
society. The crime of which these people are guilty, 
is one of the greatest known to the laws of our coun- 
try ; but their punishment has certainly been already 
in proportion. 

The lot of prisoners of whom I was with, were first 
assigned quarters in the work-house, a large massive 
brick-building, with heavy iron-grated doors and win- 
dows. Until the roof was riddled with shells from our 
mortars on James' Island, the building was the hapless 
reservoir of all the unmanageable negroes in the city 
of Charleston and vicinity, for whose accommodation 
that portion of it above ground was partitioned off 
with heavy iron and timbers into cells, and that below 



138 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

into dungeons. In the rear of the work-house is a 
yard which we were allowed the privilege of entering 
during the day, but the filth and stench was so intoler- 
able that most of us preferred remaining inside the 
gloomy walls of brick and mortar, when not compelled 
to enter it to attend to our culinary affairs. 

We remained here about two weeks, when we were 
transferred to the jail-yard, where we were associated 
with the scum and vilest characters of rebeldom — de- 
serters from both the Union and rebel armies, con- 
demned criminals, thieves, assassins and prostitutes, 
both black and white. 

While at Macon, a few cooking utensils were furnish- 
ed us, but when we left there they were all taken away. 
One of our officers, for an attempt to smuggle a mess- 
pan through, was brutally punished. And as nothing 
of the kind was allowed us while at Charleston, we 
were, consequently, without the necessary vessels in 
which to prepare the limited quantity of coarse food 
furnished us; corn-meal was issued to ns all the time 
there, in fact, during the whole of the winter following, 
but no stoves, skillets, or anything of the kind in which 
to bake it. In the Charleston jail were heavy cast-iron 
spittoons ; some of the prisoners bought these from the 
turnkey, and converted them into Dutch ovens, using 
pieces of old tin, which we bought of the guards, for lids 
or covers. I recollect the first 'pone " our mess " baked 
in, this way, seemed to be the most palatable bread I 
ever tasted. Three weeks' diet on a scant allowance 
of boiled rice and mush, both without salt, gave us a 
good appetite for corn-dodgers. 

At Charleston about six hundred of our officers were 
confined, though on parole, in the Marine and Roper 
hospitals. They enjoyed better accommodations, and. 



AND HOW TREATED. 139 

perhaps, received a little better rations than we who 
remained in the work-house and jail, as the rebel offi- 
cials informed us they received these favors on account 
of having given their parole not to attempt escape. 

The most gloomy days of my prison life were passed 
in this traitorous city, and the only occasions on which 
I could ever discover a ray of pleasure beaming from 
the countenances of my fellow-prisoners, was at night, 
when crowds of them would be collected around the 
narrow-grated windows, looking far away towards 
the sea, watching the flashes from the mouth of the 
"Swamp Angel," and following, with the eye, by its 
tail of fire, (the burning fuse) away up among the stars, 
the beautiful curve of the destructive missile it hurled 
in the bosom of the wicked and treasonable city. Or, 
when the exploding shells from grim old Wagner ig- 
nited some combustible matter, and communicated the 
fire to the surrounding buildings, when, between the 
fright and consternation of the negro firemen, who 
were thus unable to check its progress, and our prayers 
for the flames to " spread from house to house," there 
would only remain, of the entire square in which the 
conflagration broke out, the black and charred brick- 
walls, and ponderous heaps of smouldering ruins. These 
were pleasurable moments — happy sights ! Like Nero, 
when Rome was in flames, we could have danced and 
fiddled, if the accursed city, from center to circumfer- 
ence, had been engulphed in the fiery element. 

In the latter part of September the yellow fever 
made its appearance among the prisoners. Several of 
my most intimate friends fell victims to this terrible 
Bcourge, and it was not until death had marked them 
for his, that we could induce the rebel surgeons to re- 
move them from the dark, dank, illy-ventilated cells of 



140 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

the work-bouse to the hospital for medical treatment. 
Unfortunate sufferers ! noble friends ! they died mar- 
tyred victims on the altar of freedom, and their last 
resting places on the banks of the Ashley river re- 
mains unmarked by slab or stone. 

As a sanitary measure, considered necessary for the 
general health of the city, the authorities decided to 
remove us to Columbia, the State capital of South Car- 
olina. And, on the third day of October, we were or- 
dered to get ready for the trip, but without sufficient 
time being allowed to prepare the necessary food for 
the journey, we were hurried off to the depot, and 
packed, as usual, sixty or seventy into a box car. Be- 
fore daylight next morning we arrived in Columbia, 
and were corralled during the day in a vacant lot ad- 
joining the depot. Here, sick and well alike, were ex- 
posed to the scorching rays of the burning sun, until 
about five o'clock in the evening, when sun and sky 
became obscured by terrific black clouds that poured 
down incessantly for nearly six hours tremendous tor- 
rents of rain, and many, coatless, hatless, shoeless and 
without blankets, lay all that dreary, stormy night on 
the cold, bare earth — bare, only where it was covered 
with water, which was the case with nearly the entire 
space assigned us for quarters. E"o rations had yet 
been issued us since leaving Charleston ; it is true most 
of the prisoners stil) had a portion of the corn-meal 
drawn the last issue, at that place, but had no utensils 
or fuel with which to prepare it for eating. Had it 
not been for the few pies and cakes and diminutive 
loaves of bread brought in and sold at exorbitant prices 
by boys, old women, hucksters and peddlers of all de- 
scriptions, our suffering from hunger would have been 
much greater. l!^otwithstanding the unreasonable 



AND HOW TREATED. 141 

rates at which these articles were sold, it was extremely 
difficult for the feeble and weaker portion of our com- 
munity to get a share, even though they had plenty of 
money. Starving men, no matter how much benevo- 
lence or kind a heart they may possess, will seldom di- 
vide their scanty mite with others. Lieutenant Clark, 
of a Kew York regiment, in a vain attempt to pur- 
chase a corn-pone from a negro woman, who was stand- 
ing near the guard with her merchandise, was merci- 
lessly pierced in the back with a bayonet, in the hands 
of one of the sentinels, w^hose only excuse for the cruel 
and heartless act, was, that the Lieutenant was nearer 
his beat than the prisoners ought to go. , 

About ten o'clock the next morning after our thor- 
ough drenching, we were marched out three miles 
south of the city, and turned into a lot of nearly six 
acres in extent. Here, if tents or shelter of any kind 
had been furnished us, we would have had quite a com- 
fortable location, as the camp was on high ground, and 
the water, from the heavy rains peculiar to the lati- 
tude of South Carolina during the winter months, run 
off freely, leaving our quarters comparatively dry ; be- 
sides, we had an abundance of fresh air, a luxury not 
enjoyed in any of the rebel prisons in which we had 
been previously confined. But, if we had this advant- 
age here, there were other inconveniences (besides 
miserable quarters and scant fare which were character- 
istic of all Confederate prisons) that quite counterbal- 
anced it; for instance, there was neither wood nor 
water to be had in camp, and only six were permitted 
to go out at a time for either, and the same rule ap- 
plied to attending the calls of nature; and opposite 
the gate where we were allowed to pass out for these 
purposes, I have frequently seen as many as one bun- 



142 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

dred and iifty men standing, anxiously awaiting their 
turn. 

This arrangement lasted for nearly one month, when 
the guard-line was extended a few hours each day, so 
as to take in the wood and water; the latter we pro- 
cured from a brook that run within about four hun- 
dred yards of our quarters. At first we had to pick 
up all the wood we used, but after some weeks a few 
hatchets and axes were furnished, when, besides get- 
ting wood for fuel, those that knew how and were able 
to use them, went to work building cabins or shanties 
out of pine poles, which they carried sometimes a mile 
on their backs into camp. Very few, however, could 
boast of the luxury of a pine cabin. The most general 
style of architecture was to make an excavation in the 
ground two or three feet deep, and as large in diame- 
ter as the enterprise or material of the builder would 
allow. This hole was then covered with poles, sticks 
and brush set on their ends, on two sides, and coming 
together over the center. The clay taken from the ex- 
cavation was then thrown on top of these. They did 
not always keep the rain out, but, under the circum- 
stances, were considered quite comfortable. There 
were a few structures of this kind of more aristocratic 
pretensions, and could boast the luxury of a chimney 
and fire-place, all, of course, built of clay. 

Others, who could not procure the use of either axe, 
hatchet or spade, constructed temporary screens from 
wind and frost, by making a lattice-work of vines 
and twigs, and thatching it with pine boughs ; in fact, 
the various styles of cabins, shanties, huts and caves, 
constructed here by our own hands, and almost with- 
out the use of tools of any kind, were nearly as numer- 
ous and diversified as the habits and opinions of the 



AND HOW TREATED. 143 

prisoners who inhabited them. They were also built 
without any regard to the course of streets or avenues. 
There were no Broadways or Wall streets, though 
"stocks'' were always in the market, not petroleum 
or bank, but Exchange and Escape, which, at that 
time, were of vastly moro importance to us. Stocks 
in Exchange were frequently several hundred per cent, 
above par, but in one hour would go tumbling down 
far below, when none but the very "fresh fish" would 
invest. 

Escape stocks were not susceptible of such wonder- 
ful contraction and expansion, and run more regular, 
being always above par, and during the first two 
months at Camp Sorghum (the name given this prison 
in honor of the large quantity of molasses of that de- 
scription issued us at this place) over three hundred 
Yankee officers realized on it. Many more tried their 
fortunes, but had been recaptured; in fact, they were 
escaping and being brought back every day. 

Tunneling, bribing the guards, and all the old dodges 
heretofore alluded to, were tried; and of extremely 
dark nights, it was a wise precaution of the prisoners 
to keep close to mother earth, as at such times balls 
from the guns of the sentinels on duty were constarftly 
whizzing over the camp, having been hurriedly dis- 
charged by the excited sentinels, over whose heats ad- 
venturous and daring Yankees were constantly pass- 
ing. 

Two of our officers, attempting to gain their freedom 
in this way, were killed and several wounded ; and one 
night they killed two of their own men. Sometimes 
from three hundred to four hundred prisoners were 
paroled to go outside the guard-line after wood, which 
gave a favorable opportunity for large numbers to es- 



144 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

cape in the following manner: Those who had not 
taken the parole, would mix in with those who had 
done so, and after getting in the woods, their friends 
would cover them with boughs or leaves, and there se- 
creted, they would remain until after dark, when they 
would emerge from their hiding places and strike off 
through the swamps for " God's country/' As many 
as one hundred officers have escaped in one day in this 
way, but the distance to our lines was so great, and the 
citizens through the country were ever on the alert 
with blood-hounds to hunt them down, so that at least 
seventy-five per cent, of all that escaped from prison^ 
were recaptured and brought back. 



CHAPTER XI 



ESCAPE OF CAPTAIN RUSSELL. 

The following interesting and graphic sketch, is 
Captain M. T. Riissell's account of his escape and per- 
ilous adventures through the mountainous districts of 
Georgia and South Carolina, en route to the Union lines. 
He was one of the number who escaped from Camp 
Sorghum, as recorded in the last chapter. 

Failing to make my escape when Colonel Streight 
made his exit from Libby, very much discouraged me, 
and for some time I gave up all hopes of ever getting 
away from my prison home, unless the Government 
should change its policy in regard to the exchange of 
prisoners, an event which I had no idea would take 
place as long as Mr. Stanton was retained as Secretary 
of War. Twelve months had now elapsed since I en- 
tered the Libby prison. The work of conquering the 
rebellion was rapidly progressing in the West; Vicks- 
burg had fallen, and the Mississippi river was open for 
the navigation of our transports from its source to the 
Gulf of Mexico; our armies were also making rapid 
inroads into Georgia, the empire State of the "Confed- 
eracy," and General Grant, after having accomplished 
this great work, was appointed to the command of the 
(10) (145) 



146 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

Army of the Potomac, an event which satisfied the 
prisoners — especiall}^ those belonging to the western 
army, who knew the kind of metal Ulysses was com- 
posed of — that the rebel authorities would not long 
risk keeping us confined in Richmond. Consequently 
hope began to revive in the bosoms of those who ex- 
pected to gain their freedom by their own exertion. 

Plans for escape, in case of removal, were now being 
constantly projected and discussed, but no unity or or- 
o^anization for a general outbreak could be arrived at, 
consequently each one was left to act independently 
and on his own judgment, and if he thought escape 
possible, to make the attempt. 

At one o'clock on the morning of May seventh, we 
were ordered to get ready to march, and one hour given 
us to accomplish the work, at the end of which they 
commenced counting us out at the narrow door, and, 
as though we were so many hog^s, the rebel Commis- 
sary pitched a pone of corn bread at each of us as we 
passed. As we came out w-e were placed between two 
long files of guards, running along Carey street, where 
w^e remained until the sun came up from behind the 
Richmond hills — the first time we felt his w-arm rays 
for twelve wear}^ months. We were then marched to 
the Danville depot, and 'packed into old stock cars for 
transportation, sixty odd prisoners and five guards in 
each car. The weather was extremely hot, water ver}^ 
scarce and "grub" ditto; and in this condition we 
traveled to Danville, Virginia, twenty-four hours' jour- 
ney, during which time we received water but twice, 
and but one half pint each time, and that taken from a 
pond so filthy that a hog would scarcely w^allow in it. 
After being removed from the train at Danville, the 
rebel officers were very much chagrined to find that 



AND HOW TREATED, 147 

the Yanks had cut large holes in the bottom of the 
cars, and several of the '^ d — nd rascals (as thej were 
pleased to call them,) gone. 

From Richmond to Danville the guard in charge of 
us was commanded by a scoundrel in the shape of a 
man, whom they called Captain, From his deport- 
ment and treatment of th« prisoners on the route, all 
concurred in the opinion that if the devil had any 
agents, that this man Tabb was certainly one of his 
chiefs, if not, his majesty had better close business on 
this terrestrial sphere. 

We were kept at Danville but a few days, w^hen we 
were again jammed in cars, (sixty or seventy in each,) 
and started further South, and arrived at Macon, Geor- 
gia, on the sixteenth day of May, 1864, and placed in 
a stockade for safe keeping. We at once organized 
squads and companies and commenced tunneling pas- 
sages underground, through which to escape, and had 
several large ones nearly completed, when one of our 
own officers betrayed our work and plans to the Con- 
federate authorities, who soon placed a check en our 
operations. 

In July we were removed to Charleston. An ad- 
mirable plan for escape on the route was organized by 
those of us who went on the first train, but those who 
were appointed to lead and direct the affair, had not the 
courage to lead off. We were kept at Charleston 
nearly three months of the hottest season of the year, 
and all the time under the fire of our own guns. This 
unprecedented measure of the rebels was done for the 
purpose of compelling the Government to an exchange 
of prisoners on terms proposed by themselves, but ex- 
perience taught them that the United States was not to 
be dictated to by rebels. 



148 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

During the fall the yellow fever made its appearance 
among the prisoners, in consequence of which we were 
removed to the city of Columbia, where we were placed 
in an old field, with a single guard line around us. 
Now, 1 thought, was my time to make another eftbrt 
to reach " God's country/' (the Union lines, being so 
termed by the prisoners,) and at once began operating 
on the guards, and soon found that if I was cautious, 
and selected a good subject, that I could bribe him with 
a watch, or a few Confederate dollars, to let me pas-s 
out. The greatest difficulty that presented itself was, 
how could I subsist in a strange land, where I dare not 
stop at the house of a white man, as immediate arrest 
and confinement would be my inevitable doom. It 
would not do for the eye of a white man, woman or 
child, to see me, as legions of blood-hounds, double- 
barrelled shot-guns, old men and boys, conscript offi- 
cers and Provost Marshals, would at once be in pursuit; 
besides, it was at least four hundred miles to the Union 
lines, by the shortest route that could be taken, and my 
clothing was much worn, and very thin; I was without 
good shoes, and at this season of the year I could but 
expect cold weather, even in South Carolina, and much 
severer when I reached the mountains. Eivers and 
large streams were also to be crossed, and I knew that 
all the principal bridges and fords were guarded hy the 
euem}'', for the purpose of catching deserters from their 
own army, and runaway negroes. Notwithstanding 
all these difficulties, I determined on making another 
eftbrt to gain my freedom, even if it should cost me 
my life — "Liberty or Death, " was now my motto. In 
the first place, I must raise the wherewithal to bribe 
tlie sentinel, and on making a thorough examination 
nf my valaableSj I found them to consist of one pocket- 



AND HOW TREATED. 149 

comb, a brass button, silver pen-holder and gold pen 
point; these constituted my store of worldly goods, 
and with them I proceeded to drive a bargain with one 
of the chivalry and escape their clutches for a short 
time, at least. W-e had an opportunity of conversing 
with the guards when they came in to attend roll call, 
and on one of th^s« occasions I selected a boy from 
one of the companies, and. proceeded to form an ac- 
quaintance with him. At first he was not very com- 
municative, but I directed the conversation in regard 
to his manner of procuring subsistence, asking him if 
he lived exclusively on the rations furnished by the 
r^bel Commissary. He replied that he was compelled 
to do it, as he was without money wherewith to procure 
anything else. I remarked to him that I had a good 
gold pen and silver holder, both worth at least ono 
hundred and fifty dollars in Confederate money, and 
which I would give him if he would let me pass his 
beat some dark night. He finally agreed to the propo- 
sition, provided I would promise on honor not to be- 
tray him in case I was re-captured and brought back, 
to which I of course agreed, and began preparations 
for my departure. From a friend who had sold his 
w^atch to one of the guards, I borrowed ten dollars in 
Confederate money. With this I purchased from the 
Sutler one quart of salt, and some matches; I also 
baked my five days' rations of corn-meal, which, when 
done, made about three pounds of bread. For a hav- 
ersack to carry it in, I took an old flannel shirt and 
tied the lower extremity with a string, like a bag, and 
the sleeves together, to swing over my shoulder. 

Three days after, the soldier with whom the arrange- 
ment was made, guarded me with several others out- 
side the lines, to procure wood for fuel. The same 



150 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

morning, however, a large number of the prisoners 
were put on parole of honor not to escape, by the Com- 
mandant of the prison, and allowed to go out for the 
same purpose. Soon as a favorable opportunity offered 
for me to pass the guard whom I had bribed, without 
being observed by the other sentinels, I stepped up to 
him and gave him the pen and pen-holder, and passed 
out and made a straight line for the nearest pine 
thicket, almost fearing to lookback lest I was observed 
by others of the rebel guard, and by them returned to 
the prison. 

I traveled through the thicket about four miles, when 
I came to a swamp. I went into this several hundred 
yards, and found a large pine log laying up out of the 
water, upon which I crawled, intending to remain there 
until after dark, but I had not long been concealed here 
until I heard some one w^alking through the water^ 
From the direction whence the noise proceeded, and its 
gradual nearer approach, I supposed that it was the 
rebels on my track, and quietly as possible slipped off 
the log on the opposite side from the direction the 
sound came. I had been in this position but a short 
time when I discovered approaching me, instead of an 
armed rebel with a pack of blood-hounds, one of my 
old prison companions, Lieutenant Frank A. Lakin, of 
the Eighteenth Indiana Infantry, an officer with whom 
I had been confined in the various prisons of the Con- 
federacy for one year and a half. I knew that he would 
do to depend upon in the perilous and toilsome work 
before us; young, active, brave and full of fire, and 
w^hen he once made up his mind to do a thing he never 
gave it up until it had been accomplished, unless some 
unavoidable streak of bad fortune interposed. There 
was no officer among all the prisoners with whom I had 



AND HOW TREATED. 151 

been confined that I would have preferred as a com- 
panion on the hazardous journey before me. We con- 
sulted together as to the best route to be taken to reach 
our lines. Soon as it was dark we started out, intend- 
ing to strike the road leading from Columbia to Lex- 
ington ; we had not traveled far, however, when the 
sky became very much clouded, obscuring the north 
star, by which we were directing our course, but we 
continued to travel, without guide or compass, until 
about two o'clock in the morning, when the clouds 
cleared away, and we discovered that we were going in 
the wrong direction. We accordingly changed our 
course, and again set out for the road before mentioned, 
and which we finally found. We traveled very cau- 
tiously for some considerable distance, and at length 
came to a guide-board, which we hailed with joy, as 
it was a silent director that would not betray us; it was 
so dark, however, that it availed us nothing without 
some little ingenuity, so I squared myself in front of 
the post with my hands on my knees and with ray 
shoulders stooped over, while Frank mounted my back, 
crawled up and struck a match and examined the di- 
rections on the board, when he discovered that we were 
just five miles from Columbia and seven miles from 
Lexington, and had traveled hard all night; but we 
determined, if possible, to pass the latter place before 
daylight — the grey streaks of light just making their 
appearance in the east when we came to the suburbs of 
the village. We now held a council of war, and de- 
cided that our best plan was to go direct through town, 
so we walked very briskly up Maine street, encounter- 
ing on the way several noisy dogs, which alarmed us 
considerably, lest they should be the means of arousing 
the citizens, as lights were already visible in many of 



152 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

the houses ; but we passed through safely, and soon 
came to a dense pine thicket, into which we "went 
some two or three hundred yards and stopped near a 
large pond, where we raked some leaves together for a 
bed and lay down tired and foot-sore to rest, and did 
not awake until near sunset. 

After making a hasty toilet by washing in the pond 
and drying our faces on the leaves and dead grass, we 
sat down to partake of my loaf of corn bread which 
still remained untouched, and as neither of us had 
tasted a morsel for twenty-four hours, it was very 
palatable. At dark we again started on the road, 
and when we came near a house always flanked it, so 
as not to be observed by the dogs. We traveled all 
night, and next morning went into the woods again, to 
conceal ourselves, and rest and sleep ; but we were so 
hungry that sleep with me was impossible. "While 
pondering where our next provisions were to come 
from, I suddenly heard the noise of a bell and bleating 
of sheep. I remarked to my friend Frank that we 
had better capture and slaughter one, as we could live 
very well on its flesh, even if w^e had no bread. He 
thought it would be impossible to catch one of them, 
and turned over in the leaves to sleep. But Frank's 
opinion to the contrary notwithstanding, I, was deter- 
mined to have some mutton for breakfast, and gath- 
ered my salt bag and started toward the sheep. Salt 
being a luxury to which rebel sheep had not been of 
late accustomed, the whole flock was soon collected 
around me, some licking salt from my hands. Just at 
this moment Frank raised up, and seeing that the pros- 
pect for mutton was very good, yelled out: "Catch a 
fat one, Milt." I made a grab and caught a very nice 
lamb. Soon as he discovered that I had secured the 



AND HOW TREATED. 153 

prize, he started toward me at the rate of "2:40" with 
the old caseknife, with which we sooq dispatched the 
juvenile sheep, and when dressed found it to be very 
fat and tender. We had no water to either wash our 
hands or mutton, but we kindled a fire and a portion 
of the carcass was soon on it roasting, and the savory 
slices of mutton alone, made us a delightful breakfast; 
after which we lay down to sleep, and did not awake 
until near sunset. 

We immediately commenced preparations for another 
night's march, but before starting we cutout the best 
pieces remaining of the lamb's carcass, and put them in 
my haversack for our subsistence the next day. We 
had not traveled far before we both felt the evil effects 
of eating so much meat without bread, and Frank 
swore "by the Eternal" he would never taste mutton 
again. Journeyed all night without any incident of 
note. About daylight in the morning we came to a se- 
cluded place, where we went into bivouac, and lay down 
to sleep without eating, the breakfast of the previous 
morning still weighing heavy on our stomachs. When 
we awoke up in the evening, and before starting on 
the tramp, Frank remarked that he believed " he could 
eat a little more of that sheep,'' provided it was cooked 
in any other manner than by being broiled on the 
coals. 

Before it was quite dark we were again on the tramp, 
and early in the evening, while flanking a large farm 
house that stood near the road, we accidentally found 
ourselves — very much to our satisfaction — in a sweet 
potato patch, and at once set about digging the pre- 
cious roots, about a half bushel of which we tied up in 
Frank's old jacket, and proceeded to the next planta- 
tion. IsTear one of the huts we discovered a nesrro 



154 

woman washing by the burning light of a fewpine'fag- 
gots collected in a pile by her side. We remained in 
concealment watching her for about twenty minutes, 
when she started off towards the house. We then cau- 
tiously approached the fire, and Frank shouldered the 
kettle she had been using and carried it ofl' about a 
mile to a pond, surrounded by a dense thicket, and it 
was not long ere we had it swung over a bright fire of 
blazing pine knots, filled with a goodly quantity of 
sweet potatoes and the remains of our mutton. In 
about two hours later we were partaking of one of the 
most delicious feasts of food to which I ever sat down. 
Frank's forty-eight hours' fasting had entirely obliter- 
ated from his mind the memory of his vow not to eat 
sheep. After partaking to our satisfaction, we filled 
our haversacks with the remainder and started on the 
inarch, forgetting, however, to return the old vvoman's 
kettle. 

As near as possible, we kept a direct course for Knox- 
ville. Before we left the prison at Columbia I pro- 
cured an old pocket-map of the Southern States, of 
which I made a copy on a sheet of foolscap paper. It 
was, of course, very incorrect, but answered our pur- 
pose, as it gave us some idea of the distances from 
point to point, and the localities of the principal towns. 
We still followed the old plan of traveling after night, 
and laying by in the woods and thickets during the 
day time. 

Three days and nights thus passed without incident 
or adventure of any kind, at the end of which we found 
our commissary department in a very unfavorable con- 
dition for promoting the health and strength of two 
ravenous individuals as Frank and myself. It w^as the 
third morning after we had boiled the mutton and po- 



AND HOW TREATED. 155 

tatoes before mentioned, that we were aroused from 
our slumbers by the side of a fire we had built, by the 
neighing of a horse. We both instantly sprang to our 
feet, and about one hundred yards distant discovered a 
negro coming towards us on horse-back, drawn hither, 
as we afterwards learned, by the smoke of our fire. He 
came up to within a few yards of us and then suddenly 
stopped, evidently considerably frightened ; and, al- 
though we had determined not to reveal ourselves to 
any one, either black or white, we at once saw that we 
must make friends with this man, and accordingly en- 
tered into conversation with him and informed him of 
our true character. He solemnly promised not to be- 
tray us to his master, but on the contrary pledged him- 
self to assist us in every way in his power. We told 
him that we were very hungr}^, and out of provisions. 
He then left us, but returned in about an hour, bring- 
ing with him a basket full of roasted potatoes and a 
small piece of corn bread, saying, that was all he had, 
but we were welcome to have it. He was very intelli- 
gent, and during our conversation with him, remarked 
that as we were sacrificing so much for the free- 
dom of him and his race, he thought it no more than 
his duty to do all in his power for our safety and com- 
fort. He also gave us much information in regard to 
the roads and country, and w^ith tearful eyes bid us 
good-bye. The provisions he gave us lasted two days, 
after which w^e were one day without anything to eat, 
and were consequently getting so hungry that I pro- 
posed making a foray on some plantation and steal 
something, but Frank stoutly protested against thiev- 
ing since the stolen sheep he had partaken so heartily 
of had made him sick. 

We traveled two nights with out anything to eat ex- 



166 

cept a few persimmons, and was now on the road the 
third day almost exhausted from hunger and fatigue, 
but, about ten o'clock, we came to a large plantation; 
we then halted and held a council of war, when it was 
decided to cautiously approach one of the negro huts, 
from which the whizzing sound of a large spinning- 
wheel in motion, proceeded; w^e stealthily crawled 
up, and, through a chink in the wall, could discover a 
negro woman spinning cotton ; we then went around 
to the opposite side of the house, and knocked at the 
door, upon which interruption the wheel suddenly 
stopped, and the old woman cried out, "Who's dat?" 
We replied, in a low tone, that we were friends, and 
requested her to let us in, when she yelled out, "Who's 
dat at de door?" We replied, as before, and finally 
persuaded her to open the door, when we stepped in, 
and Frank proceeded to tell her that we were Confed- 
erate soldiers on furlough, nearly starved, and wanted 
something to eat; while he was speaking the old ne- 
gress interrupted him, saying, "Gemen, you can't fool 
dis chile; I knows who you is; I knows you is Yan- 
kees, 'cause I see de buttons on dat jacket," pointing 
to Frank's old blue blouse which served the double 
purpose of coat and shirt, and which still retained two 
or three brass buttons, the same as w^orn on the uni- 
form of the United States soldiers. We acknowl- 
edged to her that we were escaped Union prisoners ; 
she then set to work, and, in a short time, prepared a 
bountiful supply of corn-bread and roasted sweet pota- 
toes; she also set before us a fine, fat opossum, nicely 
baked, and, between Frank and myself, we made that 
'possum disappear in a very short time. 

All the darkies on the plantation came in to see us, 
bringing with them, for us, their little mite of provis- 



AND HOW TREATED. 157 

ions. Afte we had finished our suppers and rested 
our weary limbs, one of the darkies volunteered his 
services to pilot us ten miles on the road, which we 
gladly accepted. After the ten miles had been gone 
over, he turned us over to another negro who went 
with us about five miles; by this time it was nearly 
daylight, and we were placed by the last guide under 
the care of a third negro who conducted us about one 
half mile to a dense pine thicket, where we lay con- 
cealed during the day. 

Soon after dark our negro protector returned, and 
with him nearly a dozen men and women of his own 
color, each bringing something for us to eat; they had 
corn-meal, cofiee, corn-cake, fresh pork, sweet potatoes 
and cabbage; to us it was truly a feast, and we done it 
ample justice. 

Before starting on the road, we took each of these 
ignorant, but loyal and zealous colored people, by the 
hand, and bid them a kind and friendlj- good by; in 
fact, the slaves were the only class of people we could 
call friends, in the whole State of South Carolina. 

The third day after parting with the crowd of ne- 
groes last referred to, we were discovered by a white 
man, the first white face we had seen since leaving the 
prison. The old man came on us accidentally, and was 
about as much alarmed at the collision as we were, but 
my friend. Lieutenant Lakin, volunteered to act as 
spokesman, and confidently rushed out towards the in- 
truder on our privacy with extended hand. The old 
man, after gaining his self-possession, questioned Frank 
pretty closely, but he replied promptly and apparently 
satisfactorily, and stated to him that we belonged to 
General Lee's army, and had been in service since the 
boo^inninor of the war ; that when our fii\st term of en- 



168 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

listment expired, we were promised thirty days far- 
lough if we would re-enlist, and that we did so, but the 
leave of absence was never granted, and we had, con- 
sequently, resolved to go, without permission, and see 
our families who were at home suffering; that we in- 
tended to remain there just thirty days, and would not 
be taken back in less time by any d — d home guards 
in South Carolina. 

We then appealed to the old man's sympathies, when 
he said that he did not blame us, and promised that he 
would do nothing to betray us; and I believe the old 
fellow kept his promise, for we remained there all day 
without further molestation. 

The next night, about twelve o'clock, we met two 
negroes in the road, who informed us that two miles 
further ahead there was a company of Confederate sol- 
diers watching for deserters: we accordingly left the 
road, and, taking the North star for our guide, we pro- 
ce'eded through swamps and over hills until we came 
to Broad river; this we must cross at all hazards, and 
the only alternativ^e was to wade and swim; so, into 
the cold, rapid stream we plunged, the water striking 
us around the neck, and so chilly that I thought we 
would freeze before reaching the opposite bank, but we 
got through safely, and started off on a brisk walk, 
which soon got up a circulation, and we felt quite com- 
fortable "barrin" a \\tt\Q dampness. 

We now felt quite safe, and began to talk earnestly 
ot the happy hours we would soon enjoy with the 
"loved ones at home." "But man proposes and God 
disposes." The follovring night, while resting in a 
thicket, two or three hundred yards from the road on 
which we had been traveling, we were suddenly startled 
b}' the loud yelping of hounds not a great distance from 



AND now TREATED. 159 

US. AVe knew, at once, that they were on our track, 
but as we had left the road by a right angle, we had 
hope that the dogs would here lose the scent, and keep 
the main road, bat we reckoned without our host, for, 
in a moment, the whole pack, of at least a dozen fierce- 
looking blood-hounds were upon us ; escape was now 
impossible, for any attempt to move would have caused 
the dogs to take immediate hold of our persons. 

While in this dilemma, about twenty-five of the chiv- 
alry made their appearance, armed with shot-guus, 
kuives, pistols and clubs ; they at once made a peremp- 
tory demand for us to surrender, and not feeling able 
to combat successfully both dogs and men, we at once 
complied with the modest request. 

The manner and bearing of these Southern cavaliers 
towards us after we were in their power was disgusting 
in the extreme. They seemed to think that they had 
accomplished one of the most gallant deeds of the war, 
and declared they would never submit to " Yankee 
rule." 

Ropes were brought out to tie our hands and feet, 
but, after searching us thoroughly, and satisfying them- 
selves that we had no arms, they concluded that there 
were enough of the party to guard us to Anderson jail 
without adopting this measure. They marched us to 
Anderson court-house, seventeen miles distant, when 
they turned us over to the provost marshal of the dis- 
trict, who confined us in the jail at that place for five 
days ; and while there we had many calls from the cit- 
izens, both men and women, whose curiosity to see a 
"real live Yankee" prompted them to make the vis- 
its; the negroes, also, were anxious to see us, and one 
evening some half dozen of them were permitted by 
the jailor to come in where we were; they had a vio- 



160 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

liii in tlie party, upon which they gave us several very 
cheering airs. Lieutenant Lakin being somewhat of a 
musician, took the instrument in his hands, and, to the 
great delight of the darkies, gave them a touch of 
"Yankee Doodle/' When ready to depart, they in- 
sisted on the jailor for permission to leave the fiddle 
with us. We could not understand the reason of this 
strange request, and our curiosity was, consequently, 
somewhat aroused; so, after being left to ourselves, we 
made a thorough examination of the instrument, when, 
to our great surprise and delight, we found inside of it, 
thirty-nine dollars (Confederate currency) secreted 
there by the negroes for our benefit. 

On the morning of the seventh day of our incarce- 
ration in the jail at this place, we were taken out, and, 
under heavy guard, sent back to our old quarters at 
Camp Sorghum, Columbia. E"otwithstandine the blus- 
tering threats of the rebel officials to severely punish 
any prisoner w^ho made a second attempt at escape, we 
resolved on another effort to reach the Union lines 
whenever opportunity oflered. Before we got ready 
for the second trial, the following order was communi- 
cated to the prisoners then confined in Camp Sor- 
ghum : 

" Headquarters, S. C, Georgia and Florida, 

''Charleston, November 11th, 1864. 

*^CoLONEL Means, Commanding Federal Prisoners at 
Columbia: The Lieutenant General directs that you 
report to these headquarters the name of every officer 
and man who escapes from your custody ; also, that 
you notify the Federal officers that they must give their 
parole not to attempt to escape, or they will be con- 



AND now TREATED. 161 

fined in a jpen in the same manner the privates now 
are. Very Respectfully, 

" Your OVt Serv't, 

"R. C. GILCHEIS, 

''Acting AssH Adft Gen'ir 

We at first feared that the majority of our fellow- 
prisoners would be in favor of taking the parole desig- 
nated in the above order, in which case we would also 
be obliged to do likewise, or be placed in a position 
where escape would be impossible, and death, ere long, 
inevitable, ^o attention, however, was paid to the or- 
der, and the status of the prisoners remained as before. 
The want of a pen, no doubt, being the only reason 
that it was not carried into effect. 

In a few days I had arrangements all completed for 
a second escape from rebel custody. "With a portion 
of my share of the money the negroes smuggled to us 
while in jail at Anderson court-house, I bought from 
the sutler a few matches and a pint of salt, after which 
I had remaining, in good rebel shinplasters, ten dol- 
lars, with which I bribed a guard to let me pass his 
beat, I agreeing to keep the contract strictly secret, 
and to crawl on my hands and feet from the dead line 
out beyond the line of guards, and, before starting, to 
pitch a rock towards him as a signal that I was ready, 
when, if all was right, he would pitch it brtck. With 
this understiyading, a short time after dark, the ap- 
pointed evening, I started from my hut to the desig- 
nated spot for me to pass out. I walked up to as near 
the dead line as I dare go, and stopped; it was very 
dark, and raining, and I could scarcely see ten feet 
from where I stood ; but I pitched a rock as per agree- 
uioiit towards the place I thought the guard ought to 

(11) 



162 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

be. I then got down close to the ground and remained 
perfectly still until a rock, the welcome messenger that 
announced that all was well, came splashing through 
the mire towards me. I hesitated not a moment, but 
started on "all fours" through the mud for the senti- 
nel, who, simultaneously commenced whistling the 
popular air of "Dixie;" whether it was to drown the 
pangs of a guilty conscience, or to keep up my spirits, 
I am not able to say, but freely confess that I felt very 
much the need of something to bolster up my courage, 
for I feared he might let me approach within a few 
feet af him and then fire at me; but I kept on, and 
finally got up to where the fellow was standing, and 
handed him the money; he merely remarked, as he re- 
ceived it, that I must not fool him, as some of the other 
prisoners had done, who, instead of giving him money 
as they passed out, handed him a roll of old paper. 

I continued to crawl on my hands and feet for some 
distance before assuming an erect position, and when 
I did so, I started oft' and run for about two hun- 
dred yards at a speed that would throw Flora Temple's 
best time far in the shade. I then sat down in the 
bushes and began pondering over "the situation ; " no 
money, scarcely any clothing, no provisions, and no 
friends. While thus meditating, and feeling very blue, 
I was startledby the sound of some one walking through 
the bushes. I instantly dropped on the ground to con- 
ceal myself from observation ; as the object making the 
noise drew nearer, I could distinguish that the person, 
be he who he might, was a Federal ofiicer, bent an the 
same object as myself. I then arose to my feet, and, 
addressing him in a low tone, inquired who he was? 
This was such a sudden surprise that he jumped as if 
he had been shot at, but when he discovered that I was 



AND HOW TREATED. 163 

alone, he stopped and confronted me, and behold ! who 
should it be but ray old friend and former companion, 
Frank Lakin! It was a very unexpected meeting to 
both of uSj and we decided to travel together, and over 
the same route we went before — Knoxville being the 
point at which we aimed to strike the Union lines. It 
was a long distance, but, from the information we had, 
it seemed to us the safest route to freedom. Our plans 
and direction thus resolved on, we started on the long, 
wear}' journey, and traveled the whole night in a cold, 
chilly rain. We journeyed on for several nights over 
the same roads that we had marched before. Our ex- 
perience had been such that we were now fully posted 
in regard to the best manner for escaped Yankee pris- 
oners traveling in the South to procure provisions, and 
now had no difficulty in keeping our commissary de- 
partment well supplied, or, rather the negroes did for us; 
for, from them we procured everything we wanted to 
eat ; if not always as dainty as might be desired, it was, 
at least, palatable and wholesome, and, hy trusting im- 
plicitly on the slaves, we had no difficulty in getting 
abundance. 

When within a few miles of Anderson court-house, 
the place where we had been confined in jail, after our 
recapture on the previous expedition we had made in 
thi« direction, we met an old negro in the road and in- 
formed him who we were and where we were going; 
he then told us of General Sherman's movements in 
Georgia, adding that he was "bound to take Augusta," 
and advised us to change our course, and try to get to 
Sherman's army. He also told us that he was going 
to start for Augusta next morning with a wagon and 
six-mule team, and that he could conceal us in the 
wagou-bed under the fodder, and haul us safely to the 



164 

city. We consented to his proposition, and lay con- 
cealed in a thicket near the barn until nearly daylight, 
when we were aroused up by the old negro, who was 
preparing to leave for that city. We got in his wagon, 
and were covered up with the fodder, the whip was aj)- 
plied to the mules, and we were ofi;'. The road was 
full of militia, on their route to Augusta also, to which 
place they were going, as they said, to help defend it 
against "Sherman's host of blue bellies." 

We had not gone but a few miles before we caught 
up with a regiment of infantry ; several stragglers be- 
longing to it got on the wagon — they on top of the fod- 
der, and we underneath — was not very comfortable to 
us, but we had to "grin and bear it," and in this posi- 
tion we rode until night, making about twent}^ miles 
daring the day. Shortly after dark the regiment which 
had been traveling with us all day, went into camp, 
and the wagon was then cleared of rebel soldiers; the 
darkey drove on a mile further, and we also went into 
bivouac near the road. 

The next morning we again crawled in the wagon, 
and was again covered with the fodder, and started out 
before daylight in advance of the rebel troops, who had 
been a source of so much annoyance to us the day be- 
fore. About four o'clock in the afternoon, when within 
a few miles of Augusta, we were met by a squad of 
rebel soldiers ; our negro friend inquired of them, " If 
de Yankees got Augusta yet ; " they replied in the neg- 
ative, and wanted to know why he asked the question. 
The negro replied that he was "Mighty 'feard dem ar 
Yankees was in de town." 

This conversation ended, the soldiers passed on, and, 
after they had got well out of sight, we jumped out of 
the wagon and went into the woods, the darkey driv- 



AND HOW TREATED. 165 

ing on to Augusta. We crossed the Savannah river 
eeven miles above the city, and soon after struck the 
railroad running from Atlanta to Augusta; hei^ we 
came in contact with another negro from whom we 
learned that Sherman was at Milledgeville ; he also 
gave us a copy of the Augusta Daily Chronicle, and 
from what we learned from it, we drew the conclusion 
that Sherman's intended destination was Savannah, 
and, consequently, the best plan for us to adopt, would 
be to flank Augusta, and get some position in advance 
of Sherman's forces, and then lay by at the hut of some 
friendly negro until our army came up; with this in- 
tention we traveled that night and next day, making 
a complete circle of the city, and again striking the 
Savannah river fifteen miles below it; here we pro- 
cured an old canoe and tried navigation, but it leaked 
60 badly that we were compelled to abandon it and 
travel by land, and next day we arrived at Millen, the 
junction of the Macon and Savannah with the Augusta 
railroad ; here we learned from a negro some additional 
particulars in regard to the march of "Mr. Sherman's 
company," who, he informed us, had passed there 
nearly a week previous; we were, consequently, in 
Sherman's rear instead of his front as we had antici- 
pated, and had to travel seventy-five miles over the 
same country that his immense army had passed. 

The first twenty-four hours on this route convinced 
us that we would have great difiiculty obtaining pro- 
visions, as corn-meal, bacon, sweet potatoes and every- 
thing else that could be eat, had been pressed by Sher- 
man's hungry Yankees ; the negroes had also nearly 
all followed the army, so that we could no longer ob- 
tain subsistence from them, nor their invaluable ser- 
vices as guides. We were suffering extremely from 



166 THE PRISONER OP WAR, 

hunger, when we fortunately found two ears of corn in 
a fence corner, where a cavalry soldier had fed his 
horse. We built a fire and parched it on the cob, and 
with the addition of a little salt, made a very excellent 
meal. 

The fourth night we traveled in this direction we 
came to a wide slough, over which had been a railroad 
bridge, but whose black and charred timbers now 
floated on top of the stagnant stream; a number of 
these we collected together and proceeded to construct 
a raft on which to cross to the opposite bank; when, 
completed, a piece of telegraph wire was fastened to 
it, and my traveling companion, Frank, got aboard, 
pushed it out in the stream, and soon landed safely 
on the other side of the water. With the piece of wire 
attached to it, one end of which I held in my hand, I 
pulled the frail craft back to my side, got on board, 
and started over to rejoin Frank, but, when near the 
middle of the stream, the treacherous craft split in two 
parts, and much to the gusto of Lakin, let me to the 
neck in the cold, icy water; but I was more alarmed 
for Frank than myself, as his violent laughter at ray 
sudden immersion, gave me sufiicient grounds to fear 
a collapse in the vicinity of his commissary depart- 
ment. 

I finally waded out safe and whole, though terribly 
wet and cold. Our situation was now very critical, and 
required the exercise of the greatest caution on our 
part; otherwise we w^ere almost certain to be recap- 
tured, as Wheeler's cavalry was now between us and 
our own army. The night following my adventures 
by water, when, as just related, I was suddenly ship- 
wrecked, we were met in the road by a slave, who had 
just escaped from Wheeler's command. Our fortunate 



AND HOW TREATED. 167 

meeting with this faithful fellow, no doubt, saved us 
our liberty, for we were then within a half mile of the 
rebel pickets, and had we not met with him, would 
have soon been close on them, when it would be too 
late to escape. 

Regardless of his own personal safety, this black 
man, true to the instinct of his race, cheerfully con- 
sented to pilot us around Wheeler's pickets, which was 
successfully accomplished by wading and crawling for 
two hours through the miasmatic swamps of the Geor- 
gia lowland, and after passing safely around the rebel 
lines we selected an elevated spot of ground in the in- 
terior of a large swamp, where we lay down to rest 
and sleep until night. 

Frank was soon in the land of dreams, but for my 
part I could not sleep. I had an ill foreboding that all 
was not right, so instead of sleeping I kept watch, and 
near noon I discovered a man preceded by two large 
blood-hounds, coming towards us. Their company, of 
course, was not at all desirable, but it seemed that 
there was no way of avoiding it, as they still advanced 
nearer, and there was no way for us to get out of the 
swamp except by the route they were coming. I 
awoke Lakin and asked his opinion of the situation. 
We concluded that it was best to remain perfectly quiet, 
and in case we were attacked to defend ourselves to the 
last, as we had resolved that no one man should take 
us alive. The following programme was agreed upon : 
we both had heavy walking-sticks, and Frank was to 
engage the intruder in conversation, at the same time I 
would step up behind him and give him such a blow 
with my stick that he would never disturb another 
Yankee. By the time this plan was decided upon, the 
stranger was within forty yards of where we lay con- 



168 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

cealed, and keeping straight forward in the direction 
he was going would pass a few yards to the left of us. 
We were beginning to think ourselves quite safe, and 
that the man would pass on without noticing us, when 
one of the hounds, snuffing the air, set up a terrible 
bo-hoo and he turned to look after the dogs, and dis- 
covered us. We instantly jumped up and endeavored 
to engage him in conversation, but the nearer we ap- 
proached him the faster he walked, till at length he 
struck a brisk trot, and soon disappeared in the dense 
pine thicket. We dared not remain longer here, as we 
knew this fellow would soon alarm the whole neigh- 
borhood, when all the old men and boys, furloughed 
soldiers, negroes and dogs in the country, would be in 
pursuit. Consequently, we changed our base, estab- 
lishing ourselves, as we thought, in a more secure place 
in another swamp ; but we had not occupied this new 
line of defense Ions: when we heard in the distance the 
well-known toot of the hunter's horn, which apprised 
us of the fact that they were preparing for the chase, 
and ere long we distinctly heard the whining bark of 
the hounds and yells of the men, as they came in hot 
pursuit, till they arrived at the edge of the water where 
we entered, which broke the scent, and they could 
track us no further. From our concealed position we 
could see every movement they made ; in the posse we 
counted fifteen men, but the number of hounds was be- 
yond computation. 

The party at length divided and started in opposite 
directions around the swamp, to discover, if possible, 
where we left it, not supposing that we were still hid 
in its dark recesses. Soon as they disappeared we left 
our place of concealment, and made for the railroad, 
which we fortunately struck at a point where the track 



AND HOW TREATED. 169 

had not been torn up, and here found a band-car wbich 
we took possession of, and started at full speed in the 
direction of Savannah. "We went six miles this way 
w^ben we had to abandon the car, on account of the 
track being destroyed. Leaving the car we sought a 
safe retreat, as usual, in a swamp, where we remained 
until dark, and again started on the march. This, we 
confidently hoped, would be our last night's travel, as 
we were satisfied that we were now so close to Sher- 
man's army that we could reach it, no ill fortune inter 
vening, by daylight next morning. Our strength was 
nearly exhausted for want of food, but the thought of 
home and freedom nerved us to the work, and we kept 
on until about three o'clock in the morning, when we 
had grown so weak that it seemed impossible to move 
another rod. We had eaten nothing for four days but 
the two ears of corn, before mentioned, and now we 
reeled and staggered like drunken men ; we could stand 
erect no longer, and fell exhausted by the side of the 
road, so fatigued that sleep soon overcome us. 

About daylight we were aroused by the sound of 
reveille on the drums in Sherman's camps; this was 
music so sweet, and sent such a thrill of joy through 
our hearts, that we forgot hungry stomachs, weary 
limbs and sore feet, and we sprang lightly up and 
started with light hearts, to the camp of the Union 
arm3\ Two hours' march brought us to the picket line 
of General Sherman's army — language fails to express 
my feelings, when, for the first time in nearly two years, 
I beheld the glorious old flag. 

We were conducted to General Sherman's headquar- 
ters, and were kindly received by him and the officers 
of his staff. The General provided us with clothing 
and provisions, and also furnished us transportation to 



170 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

tbo City of Washington. We ivere free now, and no 
thanks to E, M. Stanton, for our liberty. 

MILT0:N' T. RUSSELL, 
Captain Fifty-First Indiana Volunteers, 



CHAPTEE XII, 



REMOVAL FROM CAMP SORGHUM. 

.Although we were set down in this pkice the first of 
October without shelter or habitation of any kind, and 
without tools or material to construct any sort of pro- 
tection against the chilling wintry blast, yet by the first 
of December, by indefatigable energy and persever- 
ance, assisted by our Yankee ingenuity, we had built a 
city that could boast as many styles of architecture as 
Gotham itself. Axes, spades and hatchets, were bought 
at enormous prices from the rebel guards, and of our 
scant allowance of wood for fuel, we saved out the 
best building timber of which frames were made, and 
covered with dirt and leaves. Our huts and cabins 
constructed, we were settling down into comparatively 
comfortable winter quarters; too much so, the rebel 
ofiicials thought, for the welfare of Yankee prisoners, 
and through the malignant nature of our keepers we 
were removed to the vacant grounds connected with 
the Insane Asylum, in the city of Columbia. Here we 
were again without shelter, and thinly clad, exposed to 
stormy winds, rain and frost; and this, too, after those 
of us who were able to do a stroke of work had assid- 
uously employed the months of October and Novem- 
ber erecting winter quarters. It is true a few thousand 

(171) 



172 THE PiMSONER Ol' WAR, 

feet of lumber was hei'-e giveui ua, also tools to build 
barracks, but when we left there in February, there 
had not been lumber enough furnished to shelter one 
hundred and fifty men, leaving nearly one thousand 
without quarters, except such as they procured and 
erected without assistance from the authorities having 
us in charge. 

We suflered extremely while in the " Asylum Prison" 
for want of fuel, one small stick per day for each mess 
of five being all that was allowed us. Our rations 
while in Columbia were also inferior in quality and less 
in quantity than we had before received at any of the 
prisons in which we had been confined; two-thirds of a 
pint of coarse corn-meal, grain and cob both ground 
together and unbolted, and a gill of sorghum molasses 
for each man, was all that we received for a day's ra- 
tion. I^ot an ounce of meat during the whole winter 
did they issue us — it was corn for breakfast, corn for 
dinner, and corn for supper, if we had any, which was 
seldom, for two scant meals per day was as much as our 
rations would furnish. 

Some of the officers, while here, had small amounts 
of money forwarded to them by their friends in the 
North. Gold and greenbacks were retained in the hands 
of the rebel authorities, and they would occasionally 
give to the parties to whom such monies were credited 
a few dollars in Confederate money, saying that so 
much of their gold had been converted by the Quar- 
termaster into that kind of currency for his (the 
prisoner's) use. But even in this currency we 
were never allowed more than one-half the price 
that gold was worth, or rather selling for, in Jeff. 
Davis's promises to pay, on the streets. For instance, 
if a gold dollar was worth one hundred Confederate 



AND HOW TREATED. 173 

dollars at the broker's office, the prisoners would get 
from the authorities about fifty dolhirs. But a still 
greater imposition, practiced on us, both at Columbia 
and Charleston, was the following: parties were sent 
into the prison with bundles of the trash called Con- 
federate money, which they distributed at the rate of 
two dollars for one of greenbacks, and six dollars for 
one of gold, which was paid in drafts on our friends in 
the Xorth. Notwithstanding these exorbitant rates the 
famishing prisoners were glad of the opportunity of 
thus getting the money, with which, worthless as it 
was, we could purchase from the sutler a little salt and 
meat, and occasionally a few vegetables; these, how- 
ever, were as dear as the money we paid for them. 
The day before I left Columbia I bmight ten pounds of 
bacon, for which I paid one hundred and ten dollars; a 
pair of coarse, half made shoes, one hundred and thir- 
ty-five dollars; a pint of salt, two dollars, and a box 
of matches, one dollar and fifty cents. 

Our amusements in the "Asylum Prison" varied but 
little from what they had been in the other places in 
which we had been confined, except to the various 
games we had previously played with cards, was now 
added, since the introduction of the money above re- 
ferred to, the game of faro. Great attention was also 
devoted to music, and "Chandler's String Band" was 
an institution connected with our prison life that will 
never be forgotten. Its soul-stirring strains were indel- 
ibly impressed on the memory of the heart-sore and 
desponding prisoners, whose gloomy hours were cheered 
by the sweet notes of "Home, Sweet Home," "Hail 
Columbia," "The Star Spangled Banner," and many 
other sentimental and national airs. The instruments 
used by the above named band were purchased by the 



174 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

prisoners in Charleston, and consisted of a bass viol, 
two violins and a flute, costing an average of three 
hundred dollars each, which, exorbitant as it is, was in 
consideration of the potent influence thej exercised as 
sanitary agents, a good investment. I have seen many 
a poor sufferer, whom no persuasion of friends could in- 
duce to leave his pallet, arise and hobble out to where 
the band was discoursing "We are Coming, Father 
Abraham," "Yankee Doodle," or "Down with the 
Traitor." Adjutant Dyer's "Sherman's March to the 
Sea" was also one of the most popular airs among the 
prisoners. Deing composed in prison by one of our 
own number, all seemed to take an unusual interest in 
it; and, on this account, as well as for its beautiful sen- 
timent, I insert the poem in this volume : 

SHERMAN'S MARCH TO THE SEA, 



BY LIEUTENANT BYERS, FIFTH IOWA CAVALRY. 

Our camp fires shone bright on the mountain, 

That frowned on the river below, 
While we stood by our guns in the morning 

And eagerly watched for the foe, 
When a rider came out of the darkness 

That hung over mountain and tree, 
And shouted — "Boys, up and be ready. 

For Sherman will march to the sea." 

Then shout after shout for bold ShermaQ 

Went up from each valley and glen, 
And the bugles re-echoed the music 

That fell from the lips of the men; 
For we knew that the stars on our banner 

More bright in their splendor would be, 
And that blessings from Northland would greet us 

When Sherman marched down to the sea. 



AND HOW TREATED. 175 

Then forward bo^, forward to battle; 

We inarched on our wearisome way, 
And we stormed the wild hill of Resaca — 

God bless those who fell on that day — 
Then Kenesaw, dark in his glory, 

Looked down on the flag of the free, 
But the East and the West bore our standard 

When yherman marched down to the sea. 

Still onward we pressed, till our banners 

Swept out from Atlanta's grim walls, 
And the blood of the patriot dampened 

The soil where the traitor's flag falls. 
But we paused not to weep for the fallen 

Who slept by each river and tree, 
Yet we twined them a wreath of the laurel 

As Sherman marched down to the sea. 

O, proud was our army that morning 

That stood where the pine proudly towers, 
When Sherman said — "Boys, you are weary — 

This day fair Savannah is ours." 
Then sang we a song for our Chieftain 

That echoed o'er river and lea. 
For the stars in our banner shone brighter 

When Sherman had marched to the sea. 

ANOTHER MOVE. 

Slowly passed the weary winter clays of 1864 and 
1865; the usual dull monotonous routine of every day 
life dragged slowly along, and when ended our only 
consolation was, that we were one day nearer freedom 
After the fall of Atlanta and occupation of that cit}'' 
by General Sherman's array, the local newspapers 
which we had hitherto been allowed to receive, were 
denied us; sometimes, however, by paying the guard 
five dollars, he would smuggle one of the Columbia 



176 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

dailies — a brown, dingy half-sheet — in camp to us, 
whose contents, although they could never be regarded 
as reliable, were eagerly devoured by the anxious pris- 
oners, who were starving for news and mental food, as 
well as physical sustenance. From these papers we 
learned that Sherman had made a triumphant march 
through Georgia; had consequently compelled the 
evacuation of Savannah, and had already with his gal- 
lant army, flushed with victory, crossed the Savannah 
river, and was, early in February, rapidly penetrating 
the interior of South Carolina. This was to us infor- 
mation as pleasing as any we could desire, except, per- 
haps, the announcement that a "general exchange was 
agreed upon," for although we were not aware that it 
was Sherman's intention to sweep through the entire 
State, we knew from our previous experience that \ve 
would not long be allowed to remain in such close 
proximity to the Union armies ; and preparations were 
accordingly made by most of us to escape from rebel 
custody whenever the move should come. 

On the twelfth of February we had intimations from 
the authorities that we would be but a few days longer in 
Columbia; and on the fourteenth, about six hundred 
of us were taken out of the prison and marched to the 
Charlotte depot, packed in stock cars, and consigned to 
Charlotte, l^orth Carolina; but a large number, in- 
cluding myself, were "lost in transportation." 

The forepart of the day had been remarkably iine 
and pleasant, even for the mild and genial latitude of 
South Carolina, but about the middle of the afternoon, 
and soon after the train left Columbia, a cold, drizzling 
rain, such as are frequently experienced in the high 
latitude of i^ew York and Pennsylvania, commenced 
falling. This was considered especially favorable t^- 



AND HOW TREATED. 177 

the designs of us who contemplated an escape — a dark, 
misty night being what we most desired to aid us in 
such an important undertaking. 



(12) 



CHAPTER XIII 



"OUT OF THE JAWS OF DEATH. 

Captain John Aigan, Fifth Rhode Island Artillery ; 
Lieutenant James F. Pool, First Virginia Cavalry; 
Lieutenant 11. W. Mosley, and myself, soon as it was 
known that we were to he removed from Columhia, 
resolved to escape on the route, together, and ac- 
cordingly made the usual preparations, which con- 
sisted in procuring a supply of matches, salt and pep- 
per, the last named article to be applied to our heels 
when on the march, for the purpose of breaking the 
scent of the hounds, which we anticipated would very 
probably be put on our trail ; we had also saved from 
our small allowance of daily rations a portion for our 
subsistence on the route, which, before leaving the pris- 
on, we carefully packed in Lieutenant Pool's haversack. 
Everything worked charmingly, and in our favor; with- 
out trouble we all got in the same car and secured seats 
near the door, I should more properly say a standing 
place, for it must be remembered that Yankee prisoners 
traveling over Southern railroads, were never put in 
cars that had comfortable and necessary furniture; but, 
as I was about to say, we had gained the desired posi- 
tion, and were determined to hold it until a favorable 

(178) 



AND HOW TREATED. 179 

opportunity for leaving the car presented itself, our 
friends in the rear whose corns we were treading, and 
the rehel guards in front whose blankets supplied the 
place of rugs for our mudd}^ feet, to the contrary not- 
withstanding. 

Thus situated, we traveled for several hours after 
leaving Columbia, but the reader will bear in mind that 
we w^ere not aboard a 'New York or Philadelphia ex- 
press train, but going at the terrific rate of eight miles 
an hour over a Southern road, in such a deplorable 
state. of repair that in the l!Torth it would not be con- 
sidered safe to be used even as a side switch to run a 
construction train over; consequently, when night 
came, we were only a few miles from the point of our 
departure, and about eight o'clock p. m., we were stand- 
ing at a dead halt five miles from Winnsboro, a town 
of considerable importance on the road between Co- 
lumbia and Charlotte, the cause of this detention being 
a break of some part of the engine, and which the en- 
gineers were industriously endeavoring to repair. It 
was now extremely cold and freezing, the drizzling 
rain which continued to come down all the afternoon 
and evening had now turned to sleet, and was falling 
very fast. The guards on top of the cars were so chilled 
and benumbed as to be almost incapable of using their 
limbs, while those guarding the door were mufHed up 
in their coats and blankets, and almost entirely uncon- 
scious of surrounding objects ; but we, although thinner 
clad, and as much exposed, heeded neither cold, sleet, 
nor rain. The longing desire for liberty burned within 
us and kept us warm ; we felt that on this night's ac- 
tions depended our liberties; the golden opportunity 
was now before us, and we must embrace it. 

It was very dark, the train motionless, and the guards 



180 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

in the door half asleep, while those on the top of the 
car were benumbed with cold, '^l^ow was our time," 
remarked Lieutenant Mosley, as he quietly and unno- 
ticed worked his way between the two guards in the 
door, and swung himself down to the ground. I im- 
mediately followed him. Alighting on terra jirma, v/e 
recounoitered the situation, when we discovered the 
track where the train was standing was laid on a high 
embankment, the banks of which sloped down from 
the rails on either side forty or fifty feet, and w^ere cov- 
ered with briars, brambles and various kinds of small 
undergrowth, and through this we were compelled to 
crawl to get away from the train. When I first de- 
scended to the ground, I heard the footsteps of some 
one approaching; to run, or even move, I felt would 
lead to a discovery of our escape from the cars, and I 
therefore stretched myself out full length on the muddy 
ground. I had scarcely assumed this undignified posi- 
tion, however, when a rebel guard, who had left one of 
the rear cars and was going up to the front to see his 
ofiicer, stumbled and fell squarely over me, his gun fall- 
ing out of his hands and resting on my arm — thus, at 
the very moment I wished to be farthest away from 
rebels and rebel bayonets, I had both in my embrace — 
but the guard was evidently so stupefied that I had no 
reason to be much alarmed at this adventure. He soon 
picked himself and gun up and went on, muttering that 
he *' believed he had fell over somebody ;" to me a self 
evident fact, that needed no assertion of his to prove. 
Kot wishing to be in his way as he returned, I started 
on*' all fours" into the briars and brambles, which, 
covered as they were with frozen rain and sleet, caused 
such a cracking and noise as I thought I never before 



AND HOW TREATED. 181 

heard, the rattle of musketry or booming report of 
cannon seemed to be no comparison, 

I was following in the same track and had caught 
up with my friend Mosley, when I discovered a light 
moving along the side of the train and coming towards 
us. Almost instantly it was opposite us, only on the 
bank above, we being at this time about ten feet 
from the train and the rebel officer, who was then 
peering into the car from which we had just escaped. 
Although the light fell full on us, so that we were 
plainly visible to our friends in the car, the officer did 
not discover us, and w^e remained perfectly quiet. 
Lieutenant Pool, however, was not so fortunate, he be- 
ing the last of our party to leave the train, and had, in 
fact, just got off when the officer w^ith the light came 
up, therefore had not examined the embankment upon 
which he stood, consequently dare not risk rushing 
over it, and as no other way of escape was possible, he 
was discovered, and put back into the car. Thus, our 
party at the outset, lost him whom each of us loved, 
and whose courage, daring and sound judgment, we 
much desired on the perilous journey we were about to 
commence. 

After seeing Lieutenant Pool comfortably slowed in 
the car, and kindly admonishing him that it was rather 
a stormy night to be out in the woods and swamps, he 
passed on, much to the satisfaction of Mosley and my- 
self; and we then commenced worming our way 
through the unexplored briars lying between us and 
what we supposed an open field, but which, when we 
reached it, proved to be a marsh or swamp, containing 
an area of several acres, tufted over here and there 
with patches of wild grass, bullrushes and yellow wil- 
low. Soon afer entering this swamp, we were greatly 



182 

delighted to meet Captain Aigan, of whom we had 
not seen or heard anything since we left the train. He 
informed us that he followed immediately after me and 
passed over the embankment and through the bramble 
thicket, close to where we did. 

We were witnesses of our friend Pool's misfortune, 
in fact could hear the prisoners jesting him on his re- 
capture, asking him how he stood the march? How 
the negroes treated him? H he found any loyal citi- 
zens ? How he managed to subsist ? If he was hunted 
down with hounds? and numerous other questions, 
■usually asked of those who had attempted to escape, 
when they were brought back after being recaptured. 

This, by the way, was not Pool's first attempt ; he 
had previously made three unsuccessful efforts, and was 
on one occasion within hearing of the drums in our 
camps. Such perseverance and energy well deserved 
the reward of liberty, and we sincerely regretted that 
we were deprived of his daring and council in danger; 
his jovial disposition and encouragement in gloom and 
despondency. 

After consultation we concluded to remain in the 
swamp, in sight of the train until it left, hoping that 
our friend Pool would make another effort to get away. 
It was nearly two hours before the engine was repaired, 
but during the whole of this time, although a heavy 
sleet continued to fall and was freezing very fast, we 
stood almost shoeless and half naked in the swamp, 
waiting and hoping for Pool to join ns, and when the 
train moved off, we made a thorough examination of 
the surrounding locality, hoping to find him concealed 
in some clump of bushes, thinking that he had perhaps 
escaped a second time from the train, but dare not 
walk away lest he should be again discovered. Our 



AND HOW TREATED. 183 

hope and search were both in vain — he was still a pris- 
oner. 

Leaving the railroad we directed our course south- 
ward, with the intention of joining Sherman's army at 
Columbia, from which place we were about thirty-five 
miles distant. Captain Aigan had in his possession a 
small pocket compass, but the night was so extremely 
dark that it availed us nothing, and we journeyed 
through mud and sleet without the benefit of guide or 
compass, until about three o'clock next morning, when 
to our great joy we discovered a light in a negro hut, 
a short distance from the road. We carefully recon- 
noitered the situation, and approached near the cabin, 
from under which three or four savage looking hounds 
came barking and howling, making a noise that to us 
seemed sufficient to awake all creation, but our knowl- 
edge of the canine species assured us that when there 
was so much hark there was little bite, and our only 
fear was that they would arouse the "white folks" in 
the '* big house," near by. Captain Aigan and mjself 
took a position against the trunk of a large tree in 
front of the cabin door, while Mosley cautiously pushed 
open the latter and entered the interior of the negro 
dwelling. There was a bright, blazing fire of dry pine 
burning on the hearth, before which were half a dozen 
young negroes of both sexes, and of most any age 
between five and twenty years, while back in one 
corner of the room, raised a few feet from the floor, 
was a frame made of round pine poles that answered 
the place of a bedstead, on which was disposed a few 
ragged, but clean and neat looking quilts — this was the 
bed of the father and mother of the dusky family. ITo 
negro hut ever makes pretensions to more than one 
bedstead and bed, the young negroes, both male and 



184 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

female sleeping summer and winter on the bare floor, 
without clothing of any kind, except that worn by 
them day after day, and week after week, until literally 
worn ofl". Lieutenant M. soon aroused the old man, 
and informed him that three escaped Union prisoners 
of war were at his house, and wanted to warm them- 
selves, and get something to eat. At the word Union 
the old man sprang from his bed, saying : " Massa, Til 
do all I knows for you." Aigan and I were at once in- 
vited in ; fresh sticks of pine were piled on the fire, ia 
front of which, and surrounded by the young slaves, w^e 
were soon comfortably seated, thawing our limbs and 
drying our wet and muddy clothing. 

After the firewood had burned down, and there only 
remained on the hearth a huge heap of red and shining 
embers, our host took from a sack standing by the side 
of his bed, a few pints of cornmeal, and in a wooden 
tray mixed it v/ith cold water into a kind of dough, 
which he rolled up into balls, and placed them in a 
row on the hearth, and covered them with hot ashes 
and coals. We watched the operation with curiosity, 
as it was a new mode to us of baking bread. We 
thought the secret would be a great advantage to us 
should w-e be so unfortunate as to be recaptured, and 
taken back to prison. After about an hour had 
elapsed, the old man, with a long stick, commenced 
digging in the ashes, and to the delight of our hungry 
stomachs, raked out as many nice brown cakes as he 
had put in rolls of dough, and handed one to each of 
us. While we were waiting for them to cool, the old 
man drew a box out from under his bed, and as he did 
so, remarked that he had a small piece of bacon there 
that he had bought, and would divide with us. His 
master, he informed us, furnished him as much corn- 



AND HOW TREATED. 185 

meal as he could use in bis family, and once a week a 
small ration of meat, and if he wanted more he must 
buy it with money earned after bis daily labor for bis 
master was completed. We found his ash-cake very 
good, in fact, far superior to what we had anticipated, 
when we saw it buried in tbe dirty ashes. We accord- 
ingly complimented the old fellow on bis skill as a 
baker, which pleased him very much, and be expressed 
a wish that " massa Sherman would come along dat 
way, and he would bake a nice cake for him." 

By the time we had finished our meal of ash-cake 
and bacon, and bad got thoroughly thawed through, 
it was nearly daylight, which warned us that we must 
seek some place of safety until the shades of another 
night. The old man regretted very much that he could 
not keep us, but there was so many *' white folks" on 
the plantation he thought we would not be safe to stay 
there, though he could send us to a plantation about 
one mile and a half distant, where we would be per- 
fectly secure, and sent one of his boj^s, a young negro 
of about eighteen, to guide us on the route. 

Arriving at the plantation, we passed by the man- 
sion house, and filed down between two rows of negro 
huts to a cabin that seemed to have more pretensions to 
comfort than its neighbors ; it was the habitation of the 
chief negro man, or kind of second overseer, a charac- 
ter that was common to almost every plantation in tbe 
South. Here, the young darkey halted us while he 
went in and aroused his dusky friend, to whose care 
we were consigned. He shortly made bis appearance, 
and by our young guide was introduced to us as *'Peter." 
Without hesitation be consented to conceal and feed 
us during tbe day, and conducted us oft* to the barn, 
and up into tbe loft, where there was an abundance of 



186 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

hay and fodder, and informed us that we could sleep 
here and be perfectly safe, adding that there was no 
white person on the plantation except the overseer, and 
he had only one arm, and consequently could not get 
up in the mow where we were ; he then left us with 
the promise to return soon with something for us to 
eat; in the meantime we buried ourselves in the hay 
to sleep, and dream, perchance, of liberty, home and 
friends. 

"VVe enjoyed two or three hours of refreshing slum- 
ber, from which we were aroused by the voice of a man 
in the lower part of the barn among the stock. One 
of our party cautiously crawled up to the wall, and, 
through a chink, watched the large door below, and 
presently had the satisfaction of seeing the one-armed 
overseer come out and walk away. Two or three times 
during the day our friend Peter came to visit us, bring- 
ing with him, each time, something for the inner man. 
Peter was a genuine "business negro," and had a high 
appreciation of the services he was rendering us ; was 
willing to give us a bountiful supply of corn-bread and 
bacon, also to keep us concealed; for anything more, 
he wanted to be well paid, and, as we had, at that time, 
a tolerable supply of rebel money, we gave him fifty 
dollars to bring us a roasted chicken, a dozen boiled 
eggs and a quart of milk, and we thought it a good 
bargain, as the fowl alone would have cost at least 
twice that amount at the sutler's shop in prison. 

It was our intention to cross Broad river at Alston's 
ferry, twenty -five miles above Columbia, and from that 
point we were now eighteen miles distant, but we 
thought, by starting early in the evening, we could 
reach it before daylight next morning. Soon af- 
ter dark, with Peter for a guide, we started out; he 



AND HOW TREATED. 187 

conducted us through fields, woods, and along by- 
paths, for about six miles, and put us on the main road 
leading from Winnsboro' to Alston, then returned 
home. 

In less than two hours after, we were completely 
lost, having taken the wrong road at the first fork we 
came to after the negro left us. It being the unani- 
mous conclusion of the whole party that we knew not 
where we were going, nor where we were, we resolved, 
the first opportunity, to press a negro guide, and soon 
we came to a collection of slave huts, into one of which 
Captain Aigan entered, while Mosley and I kept givard 
on the outside. Aigan soon returned, and with him a 
negro who assured us that he could " Carry us pur- 
sisely to de road we wanted to go." Leaving all roads 
and following our new guide, we took an oblique di- 
rection from that we had been traveling, through fields, 
woods and swamps. 

Two hours' travel brought us to a public highway, 
which the guide informed us would take us to the point 
before mentioned that we desired to reach ; believinof 
that we were now on the direct route and would not 
again lose the way that night, we took the road di- 
rected by the negro, and left him to return to his mas- 
ter's plantation. 

It is impossible to imagine our chagrin and surprise 
when, two hours afterwards, we found ourselves pass- 
ing over the same road and in nearly the same spot 
that we first discovered that we had missed the desired 
route. It was now getting well on in the after part of 
the night; we had marched hard since first starting 
out on the evening, and being unused to walking, were, 
consequently, much fatigued, especially Captain Aigan, 
who, having been quite unwell for several days previ- 



188 

ons to leaving the prison at Columbia, was almost com- 
pletely exhausted, and seemed unable to go further; 
on this account, and being again bewildered in regard 
to the proper road, we gave up all hopes of crossing 
Broad river that night. But it was near daylight, and 
we must seek the habitation of some friendly slave for 
food and concealment during the approaching day, and 
to this end we pushed on faster than our strength 
would really admit. Captain Aigan was failing fast, 
and though we had relieved him of his haversack and 
blanket, was unable to walk more than a rod or two 
without resting. Mosley and myself kept on in ad- 
vance, thinking the situation would urge him to keep 
in sight of us. 

Traveling this way we went up a long hill on the 
Columbia road, and arriving at the top, we sat down 
to rest and wait for our friend Aigan ; fifteen or twenty 
minutes passed, but he did not make his appearance : 
W6 were beginning to be somewhat alarmed for his 
safety, and Mosley started down the road for the pur- 
pose of finding out what had become of him, but soon 
returned and reported that he had been back as far as 
the place we had last noticed him, but could find no 
trace of him ; both of us then went back and carefully 
inspected the road, but with like success. Thinking, 
perhaps, he had left the road and gone over into a field 
on one side or the other, we went over, one on each 
side, and made a careful search, but in vain — he was 
no where to be found. 

The unknown fate of our friend and companion, 
weighed heavily on our minds ; the idea of thus aban- 
doning one who, with ourselves, had dared the dangers 
of escape from the rebel guards, and shared the perils 
and sufferings of the nightly march through a hostile 



AND HOW TREATED. 189 

country, was abliorrent to the benevolent feelings of 
human nature. But, if we remained, we could render 
him no assistance, even if we found him, and when 
daylight came we would all be recaptured and con- 
signed to a life we dreaded worse than death. It was, 
therefore, agreed that we should go on and seek safety 
for ourselves, and inform some negro of the circum- 
stances, and have him return and look for our missing 
friend next day. 

Going about one mile, we discovered a light burning 
in a negro cabin, and directed our steps thither; after 
reconnoitering the situation, we went up to the door 
and rapped ; a negress came and opened it and invited 
us in. After being comfortably seated before the blaz- 
ing pine-iire, we took a survey of the interior of the 
building and its occupants. The old negress was en- 
gaged carding cotton, while two young girls, of about 
twelve and fourteen respective!}', were spinning the 
same for cloth for their master's sons who were in the 
rebel army. A half a dozen young negroes of both 
sexes were lying heel to head and head to heel on the 
hearth in front of the blazing pine faggots; in the far 
corner of the only room the dwelling afforded, was an 
old dilapidated apology of a bedstead upon which were 
a few ragged quilts that covered the sleeping form of 
the "head of the family." The invariable sign (the 
army brass button) by which the slaves of the South 
distinguished Yankee soldiers, betrayed us here ; this, 
however, gave us no uneasiness, as we never sought to 
conceal our character from any member of the race 
whose skin is black, but whose heart and head, in our 
great American contest remained, under all circum- 
stances, and against all opposition, true and firm to the 
cause of justice and right. 



190 

When we acknowledged that we were Union soldiers, 
the cards and spinning wheels were pnt aside, and prep- 
arations commenced for our breakfast. I^early half a 
peck of nice sweet potatoes were placed in a heap on 
the hearth, and covered with hot ashes and coals ; 
while these were roasting, our olfactories were greeted 
with the rich odors of the savory slices of ham the old 
negress was cooking in a pan over the fire. By the 
tiine our breakfast of ham and sweet potatoes was 
ready, the old negro, who had been sleeping on the 
bedstead, came forward and took a seat in our circle; 
to him we made known our wish for a hiding place 
until night, whereupon, he informed us that there was 
a white man lived on the adjoining plantation that was 
a good Union man, and had told him if he saw any 
Yankee soldiers that wanted assistance, to bring them 
to his liouse, and he would take care of them, and fur- 
nish them with everything in his power for their com- 
fort. At first we hesitated whether or not to trust our- 
selves under the protection of a white man ; had we 
been referred to him by any other than a negro, we 
certainly would not have done so, but we had too much 
confidence in the black man to suspect, for a moment, 
that he would betray us, and, accordingly, after par- 
taking heartily of the sweet potatoes and ham, accom- 
panied him to the residence of Mr. John Carman, the 
Union man referred to. Matthew was the negro's 
name. The surname of a slave is always the same as 
his master's, and changes as often as he is sold from 
one individual to another. 

Passing outside of the inclosure surrounding Math's 
house, into the main road, we were startled b}^ some 
one in a stifled voice calling my name. Had ojie 
of my former comrades, whose bones I had seen carried 



AND now TREATED. 191 

out for interment in the Georgia swam[)s, appeared be- 
fore me, I would not have been more surprised than I 
was, to hear my name spoken here in a country where 
I supposed there was not a soul within many scores of 
miles with whom I had ever met. We halted, and the 
call was repeated; this time I answered, when, judge 
of the astonishment of Mosley and myself, to see our 
lost friend, Aigan, come out from a concealed position 
in a fence corner and rejoin us. Coming up the hill, 
where we had last seen him, exertion overcame him, 
and he fell exhausted and senseless to the ground, and 
was, it seems, lying in that position during the time 
Mosley and I were prosecuting the Rearch for him, and 
in this condition he lay there in the mud for nearly two 
hours, and just recovered, and got up to the negro 
cabin as we were leaving it. 

Our whole party now proceeded to the house of Mr. 
Carman. Arriving there, we remained outside, while 
Math went in to inform that gentleman of the charge 
he had brought. Mr. C, it happened, however, was 
not at home, but his wife, a motherly old lady (God 
bless her,) was possessed of the same loyal sentiments 
and humane feelings of her noble husband. 

Their dwelling was small, and they had a great many 
calls and visits from their " secesh neighbors," it was 
not thought advisable, therefore, for us to stay in the 
house, so the old lady directed Math to show us to the 
loom-house, an out-building on another part of the 
farm. Here we were made quite comfortable. Math 
built a big pine fire that soon threw a cheerful warmth 
throughout the little cabin, and soon after, Mrs. Car- 
man, accompanied by one of her daughters, came out, 
bringing with them some hot tea, bread and meat, also 
a bundle of straw and some bed-clothins:. 



192 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

During the afternoon the old man arrived at home, 
and immediately came out to see us. In him we found 
one of the most zealous and loyal Union men that I 
have ever met either ]N"orth or South ; he gave us a 
very curious and interesting history of the early days 
of the rebellion in his part of the State. How their 
leading men pictured the future glory of the Southern 
States, and the ease with which an independent Con- 
federacy could be established ; and how they ridiculed 
the idea of any blood being shed to accomplish it. 

It was our design to have moved on towards Broad 
river soon after dark, but Mr. C. insisted that it was 
best for us to remain where we were for another day 
at least, arguing that we had nothing to lose by lying 
still, while, if we moved on without knowing the situ- 
ation of either our own or the rebel army, we were al- 
most certain to be recaptured. In consideration of the 
wise counsel of our host, who agreed to bring us cor- 
rect information in regard to the movement of the two 
armies, we concluded to remain until the next night in 
our present comfortable quarters. The cabin in which 
we were located was in sight, and within a few rods of, 
the Columbia and Winnsboro' road, over which, dur- 
ing the night, several bodies of rebel cavalry moved 
towards the former place. This being known to Mr. 
C, who kept a vigilant watch of everything that trans- 
pired in the vicinity, he came and aroused us before 
daylight next morning, and informed us that we had 
better move out to a pine thicket on his plantation, 
which was farther from the road and more secluded, 
adding, that he feared the rebel soldiers would visit 
the cabin through the day in quest of forage. 

Tlie advice was good, and proved to have been very 
timely given, for, early in the day, a party of rebel 



AND HOW TREATED. 193 

cavalry, passing by, halted at the cabin and carried off 
the small bundle of fodder furnished by Mrs. Carman 
for the ground-work of our bed. 



(13) 



CHAPTER XIV. 



THE OLD FLAG AND LIBERTY. 

Two days and nights longer we remained with the 
kind and generous family of Mr. Carman, during which 
time we were the recipients of the kindest treatment 
and attention. 

We were kept supplied with an abundance of plain, 
but wholesome and palatable food, furnished alternate- 
ly from the tables of Mr. C. and our colored friend 
Math, whose larder was as well supplied as his white 
neighbors, though for a slave his case was perhaps one 
only in ten thousand. Our clothing was also washed 
and repaired, and a pair of socks furnished to each of 
us. The old man was assiduously engaged on the road 
conversing with the rebel cavalry as they passed, glean- 
ing all the information possible from them respecting 
the movements of the two armies, and reported accord- 
ingly to us. He and Math were both fertile in project- 
ing and inventing schemes for our safe arrival inside 
the lines of the Union army. 

Math's master was the owner of three fine mules, 
and he (Math) proposed taking these three animals 
and mount us on them, he taking a position behind 
one of us, and guide us, some dark niglit, to our friends, 
Sherman's gallant boys in blue. Math, although an 

a94^ 



AND HOW TREATED. 195 

original and inventive genius himself, possessed the 
happy faculty of coinciding with the opinions and 
views of everybody on every subject, and his peculiar 
phrase of affirmation to everything advanced, of "dats 
so ; I knows it," was frequently the cause of an up- 
roarious burst of hilarity from our whole party, not- 
withstanding our utmost efforts to keep quiet and still, 
lest even the rocks and pine trees should learn and 
prate of our whereabouts. I imagine I yet see Mos- 
ley's fat sides shaking when Math, for his invention of 
the plan last spoken of for our final escape, was told 
by one of us that he was a " first-rate fellow ;" when 
in reply he brought into requisition his usual declara- 
tion, " dats so ; I knows it." 

The day before we left this hospitable family, the old 
gentleman came out to our concealed place in the 
thicket in a great hurry, and seemingly very much 
elated over some good news or favorable circumstances 
he had to communicate. Soon as his excitement had 
subsided and his respiration, which was almost ex- 
hausted in his anxiety to get to us, was recovered, he 
commenced by saying that his daughter Martha had 
been thinking and thinking about us, and studying 
how we could get through to our friends, and at last hit 
on the following plan : 

Two of his sons were in the rebel army, and when 
at home on furlough had left some of their old uniform 
clothing, and the papers giving them authority to be ab- 
sent. Martha's scheme was to dress us up in the boys' 
clothing, and give us forged copies of the furloughs, 
and start us out on the highway through the rebel lines 
as rebel soldiers, on leave of absence, going to our 
homes in Georgia. 

The plan was considered feasible, and in honor to the 



196 THE PRISONKa OF WAR, 

enterprise and ingenuity of Martha, was adopted as the 
course we should pursue, and the old man returned to 
his house to make preparations accordingly. About 
dusk he came back, and informed us that he felt confi- 
dent that it would not be necessary for us to have re- 
course to Martha's strategy, as our army was moving 
rapidly towards us, and would probably pass the next 
day. As convincing proof of the near approach of the 
Yankees, he led us out of our seclusion to an open 
space of ground and pointed to the red blazes of fire 
that illumined the horizon of the whole southwestern 
sky. Pointing to the chain of lights, distinguishing 
them by the location and difi:erent degrees of brilliancy, 
with an oath and exultant laugh, he would say such an 
one was Dr. A's residence, another Squire B's, and so 
on, until he had designated perhaps a dozen burning 
mansions, and given us the private and public histor^v 
of the owner of each, with frequent interspersions to 
the efi:ect that this man, or that one, was "the worst 
rebel and the meanest man in South Carolina, and 
ought to have been burned out long ago." 

E"otwithstanding his hate of rebels and the cause of 
secession, he had, as before stated, two sons in the rebel 
army — mere boys, the oldest not twenty years of 
age — but like thousands of others in the rebel armies, 
compelled by force to fight for a cause with which they 
had no sympathy. How my heart ached for the poor old 
mother when, with tears streaming down her furrowed 
cheeks, she told how they came and dragged them 
away from her to do battle in defense of a cause they 
detested. One of them was wounded and captured at 
the battle of Gettysburg, but was soon after exchanged, 
and reported that he fared better and had more care 
and attention shown him while a prisoner than after 



AND HOW TREATED. 197 

he returned to Richmond, and was placed in one of 
their own hospitals. The mother expressed an ardent 
desire that they might both be taken prisoners by our 
army, for she said they would then take the oath of al- 
legiance to the Government of the United States, and 
if they fought any more it would be in the Union 
armies. 

Early Sunday morning, February nineteenth, we 
could distinguish in the distance the sharp crack of 
musketry, and occasionally hear the booming report of 
the deep-mouthed cannon. As the sun rolled up to- 
ward the zenith the sound of battle became more dis- 
tinct, and by moving out from our concealment to a 
little knoll, we could plainly see large bodies of rebel 
cavalry in the road and fields, about a mile distant. 
While watching their maneuvering, we were surprsied 
by two of the Miss Carmans who, in great haste and 
breathless, made their appearance, and informed us that 
a wounded rebel Captain and several soldiers were at 
their house, and that rebel troops would probably be 
all over the plantation in a very short time, also adding 
that they had come to show us to a more secure place. 
"We accordingly gathered up our few ^'traps'' to follow 
our fair guides through swamp and thicket to the safe 
retreat. 

Having learned in our military schooling that the 
tide of battle was often changed from a seeming reverse 
to victory, and great advantages gained by well con- 
ducted flank movements and retreats, we thought a 
change of base peculiarly applicable to our situation ; 
the retrograde movement, therefore, did not in the least 
humble our military pride, especially as it was ordered 
by two fair Union damsels of South Carolina. But 
Captain Aigan, actuated I presume, by a desire to show 



198 

his activity and agility to the young ladies — I would 
not at all insinuate that he was in any hurry to get 
away from rebel soldiers — made a dashing leap, and 
attempted to clear a stagnant pool of water which we 
had to pass around. Unlucky leap ! The unfortunate 
Aigan, by a slip of the foot, was precipitated full 
length into the muddy pond. The girls turned away 
to conceal their mirth, while Mosley and mjself give 
vent to an excessive outburst of laughter at the undig- 
nified position in which our friend's agility had placed 
him. And for the reputation of ourselves and Yankee 
officei^ generally, we sincerely advised him to make no 
more efibrts at athletics in the presence of ladies. 

The girls continued to trip lightly along, we follow- 
ing, and without further mishap to either of our party, 
we soon arrived at a dark cavernous retreat in the dense 
pine forest, where, as the old man afterwards remarked, 
'Hhe devil himself couldn't find us." The girls re- 
turned home, leaving us crouched close to the damp 
ground, awaiting the issue of events. 

About two hours we remained in this situation, 
when our fair friends again made their appearance, this 
time bringing the joyful news that a squad of Union 
soldiers were at their house. This was indeed glad 
tidings, and the young girls who communicated it to 
us seemed to our eyes transformed into angels. We 
were soon threading through swamps and thickets, the 
same route which we had previously traveled to reach 
our hiding place, and as we passed by the scene of the 
Captain's luckless adventure on that occasion, one of 
the girls, with a sly wink, pertly admonished him to be- 
ware of the pond. Arriving at the family dwelling, we 
there found three members of the Kinety-Second Ohio 
Infantry — the first Union soldiers we had seen, except 



AND HOW TREATED. 199 

those that were prisoners, for nearly two years. The 
sight of blue-coated soldiers with guns in their hands, 
seemed then, to us, the most pleasing sight we ever 
witnessed. But our joy somewhat subsided when we 
learned from the soldiers that they were only a for- 
aging party, and that the main column was moving on 
a road nearly twelve miles distant. 

The recollection of the large body of rebel cavalry 
we had seen scarcely two hours before, gave us grounds 
to fear that we might yet be recaptured before we could 
reach the road upon which the troops were moving, 
though our friends of the Ninety- Second assured us 
that there was no danger, as the country between us 
and that point was covered with foraging parties— 
** Sherman's bummers" — as we afterwards learned to 
call them. 

With doubts and fears, but high hopes of soon see- 
ing the old flag, we started with our new found friends 
to Jefl'. C. Davis's Fourteenth Corps. 

To this loyal family who so interested themselves in 
our welfare and safety, we are under lasting obligations, 
and the debt of gratitude we owe them can never be 
fully repaid. Before leaving them we drew up a cer- 
tificate testifying to the kind treatment we received at 
their hands ; also, stating that so far as we could ascer- 
tain, Mr. Carman had always been a staunch Union 
man, hoping that it would be a safeguard for their 
property, and prevent foraging parties from Sherman's 
army carrying off their grain, forage and provisions. 

It was about four o'clock p. m., February nineteenth, 
that we arrived on the banks of Broad river, and there 
joined the l!^inety-Second Eegiment Ohio Volunteer 
Infantry — then engaged near Alston's Ferry destroying 
the Columbia and Greenville railroad. 



200 

ISTo where in the army could we have found truer 
friends, or received kinder treatment, than we had at 
the hands of the officers and men of this noble regi- 
ment. Captain Rosser and other officers furnished us 
clothing, the garments we had worn in prison being 
ragged, dirty and infected with vermin. Lieutenant 
Colonel Morrow, commanding the regiment, was assid- 
uous in his attentions, and insisted that we all board 
with him, but, not wishing to abuse the hospitality 
of the generous Colonel, we divided our patronage, 
and only one of us remained with his mess. 

We were much surprised to learn that the army had 
no base of supplies or communication with the rear, 
and that we, consequently, would have no opportunity 
of getting ISTorth until a base was opened on the sea- 
board of ]^orth Carolina. But we were now out of 
the "jaws of death," and under the protecting folds of 
the starry flag — liberty was gained — and we could af- 
ford to bide the time between us and home and friends. 

On the march with Sherman's army through the 
Carolinas, we were astonished at the abundant supply 
of corn and bacon which the country seemed to aflbrd. 
"We had so often heard the reiterated statement of 
rebel commissaries, that they had no meat, and could 
procure none for the prisoners, that, of late, we had 
really credited the false assertion as a fact. But Sher- 
man's army found enough of everything necessary for 
the inner man to fare sumptuously every day, besides 
the vast quantities that were wasted and destroyed. 
The duty of procuring these supplies devolved on a 
regular detail from each regiment, called foragers, 
flankers, "bummers," who, according to a writer in 
that excellent weekly, the Army and Navy Journal, 
were accustomed to spread out like a great cloud of 



AND HOW TREATED. 201 

skirmishers in front of Sherman's army on its marches. 
These audacious gentry, who generally rode on horses 
and mules, borrowed of the plantations, round about, 
served a very good purpose as scouts. They burst over 
rivers, on which the enemy had established "lines of 
defense," and, by flanking far up or down the stream, 
produced, sometimes, a hasty evacuation of the works. 
Or, else, if Hampton's cavalry were too strong for 
them, they would come "piling" back, as the expres- 
sive phrase goes, to the advance of the main army, giv- 
ing very good warning of what was coming. They ac- 
tually "carried" certain streams and rivers where op- 
position was expected, and were always hanging on 
the skirts of the retreating rebels. 

But, of course, their main demonstrations were di- 
rected upon the question of supplies, they holding to 
the sound doctrine that feeding an army was as im- 
portant as fighting, and, by inference, their own duty 
in feeding was paramount to their duty in fighting. 

While the army of General Sherman was in camp at 
Goldsboro', ^N'orth Carolina, the following humorous 
report was sent by the "Chief of Bummers" to Adju- 
tant General Thomas, at "Washington City : 

Headquarters Bummers, 
Grand Army of the Flankers, 
Goldsboro', North Carolina, Ajpril 1st, 1865. 
Adjutant General U. S. A., Washington, D. C. : 

General : I have the honor to submit the following 
report of the operations of my command during the 
Carolina campaign : 

From Savannah to Columbia, in furtherance of the 
original plan of campaign, my forces, being poorly 
mounted, operated mainly upon the flanks of the Grand 



202 THE PRISONER OP WAR,' 

Army. The original plan of the campaign was for the 
Grand Army, after capturing Columbia, to move to the 
coast of Charleston. 

While General Sherman was amusing his troops 
with experiments upon railroad iron in the vicinity of 
Columbia, I moved my command rapidly toward Che- 
raw, where I found Hardee with fifteen thousand men, 
strongly entrenched. Active skirmishing commenced 
between my mule brigade and the enemy, and I sent a 
courier to General Sherman apprising him of my own 
and the enemy's position, requesting him to set aside 
his original plan and move to my support, which he 
promptly did, and we occupied Cheraw, the enemy re- 
treating in hasty disorder across the Great Pedee, pur- 
sued by my whole brigade. Arriving in the vicinity 
of Fayetteville, we met Johnston's entire army, thirty- 
five thousand men. We moved on the enemy strongly, 
driving him before us and capturing a heavy invoice 
of quartermasters' stores and munitions of war. From 
this position I sent back another dispatch requesting 
support. General Sherman moved his army rapidly 
forward ; but, before he reached Fayetteville, the en- 
emy had withdrawn across the river, and my forces 
were in occupation of the town. 

We regarded private rights, and treated the inhab- 
itants courteously, sparing the citizens generally their 
houses, and, in cases of pressing want, their money and 
spoons. 

Preparations were immediately made by General 
Sherman and myself for crossing the Cape Fear river 
with our forces, for the campaign was now so much 
changed from its original destination that General 
Sherman resolved to pursue the enemy further if pos- 
sible. Having no pontoon bridge or trains with my 



AND HOW TREATED. 203 

command, it was agreed that I should cross on the 
bridge used by Major General Blair with his (Seven- 
teenth) corps. 

On reaching this bridge, I was notified that General 
Blair had directed his provost marshal to seize and 
confiscate the horses of my command, all of which had 
been borrowed by my men from loyal residents of 
South Carolina. Disdaining to quarrel with a provost 
marshal, and learning that General Blair ranked me in 
date of commission (by special courtesy of our excel- 
lent President towards him,) I withdrew from the 
bridge and effected a crossing several miles lower down, 
and sent notice of the same, with my compliments, to 
Major General Blair. I respectfully request that this 
uncourteous conduct on the part of General Blair be 
made the subject of inquiry by a military commission. 

Moving forward from Eayetteville, I found Johnston 
strongly posted near Averysboro'. Flanking his posi- 
tion, I crossed Black river, and advanced toward Ra- 
leigh. 'Near Bentonville, I found the enemy again 
entrenched, and again I flanked him, moving toward 
Goldsboro'. Before reaching this town, I received a 
note from General Sherman requesting me to halt 
there, as he would be d — d if he would follow me any 
further. 

Very Respectfully, 

Your Obd't Serv't, 
TITUS A. BUMMER, 

Commanding, etc. 

The "Bummers" have really no organization, with 
a commander-in-chief, as the above would indicate, 
but each squad of from five to twenty act separately 
and independently, except when pressed with over- 



204 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

whelming numbers of the enemy, when they will 
readily form into companies and battalions, and conduct 
the fight with as much order and system as a well- 
trained and disciplined organization. The report is, 
of course, the production of some humorous wag, but 
is notwithstanding a tolerable correct sketch of the op- 
erations of the "Bummers." Having no duty to per- 
form, Aigan, Mosley and myself had time and oppor- 
tunity of seeing and conversing with many of the citi- 
zens who remained on their plantations, along the line 
of march. All, with not a single exception, openly 
acknowledged their hostility to the Union and the 
Yankee army, and vowed their determination, since 
Sherman's march through their State, never to live in 
peace with the ITorth. Their greatest grievance 
seemed to be the loss of the negroes. One day on the 
march our trio got far in the advance of the "ISTinety- 
Second," and went into a farm house to rest and chat 
with the ladies. The only white people living on the 
plantation was a young widow and her sister, an edu- 
cated and accomplished young lady of about twenty. 
We remarked the absence of school houses in the ru- 
ral districts of the South ; one of them replied that 
they had no use for schools — that they employed gover- 
nesses in their families while the children were small, 
and finished their education by sending them to board- 
ing schools. 

'No interest whatever is taken by the aristocrats of 
the South in the education of the poor, and, as a nat- 
ural consequence of the above system, they grow up 
almost entirely in ignorance, not one in ten being com- 
petent to write their own names. 

Miss W., the younger of the two inmates of the 
dwellmg at which we were stopping, notwithstanding 



AND HOW TREATED. 205 

the abhorrence she had for the '' black, dirty-looking, 
Yankee soldiers,' as she called them, favored us with 
several favorite airs on her piano. Her music, intelli- 
gence, and good looks, quite prepossessed our friend 
Mosley in her favor. The little rebel was, in fact, fast 
gaining his affections, but romance and love were both 
dashed to the ground by the following incident : 

A staff officer coming in while the interesting tete-a- 
tete was going on, incidentally inquired where the ne- 
groes belonging to the plantation were, and was an- 
swered by the young lady that "the he ones had all 
done gone took to their heels, and if they came back 
she would shoot them." This was enough for Mosley ; 
his admiration vanished ; such language from the lips 
of a pretty and educated girl was more than he could 
endure, and before leaving he wrote on the margin of 
a page in a copy of " Tom Moore," ''When interro- 
gated in regard to your negroes say ' they have stoned 
and runned away.' " 

March fifth, the Fourteenth and Twentieth corps 
rested on the banks of the Great Pedee, and while 
here Captain Aigan visited a battery, the officers of 
which, he was acquainted with. From one of them he 
learned that Carman, our friend and protector, while 
making our way from captivity to freedom, was rob- 
bed of everything he possessed by a party of villainous 
scamps, led by a more dastardly scoundrel wearing the 
uniform of a United States officer. When they ap- 
proached the house on their thieving mission the old 
ladj^ protested against their taking all — was willing to 
share — and informed the party that they were and al- 
ways had been Union people — also showed them the 
certificate we had given them, testifying to their care 
and kind treatment of us. But this availed nothing, 



206 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

as the contemptible puppy calling himself an officer, 
shamefully abused her, saying that it was a bogus thing 
they had got up themselves, and that there were no 
such officers in the army. These facts we learned from 
the officers of the battery before mentioned, one of 
whom, the day following, with a squad of men, visited 
the plantation. When the circumstances Were related 
to him, he asked to see the paper we left them ; glancing 
over it, he recognized in Captain Aigan's name an old 
friend, and felt it his duty to render all the assistance 
in his power to those who had so kindly protected him, 
and communicated the facts to his men, who immedi- 
ately made up a considerable amount of money and 
donated it to the destitute but generous family, who, 
in prosperity, had so materially aided the escape of 
Union prisoners of war to freedom and friends. 

On the eleventh of March, Sherman's whole army 
entered Fayetteville, ISTorth Carolina, having been on 
the campaign fifty-four days — twenty-five of which 
we had marched with it. We were rejoiced to learn 
that communication would be opened from here with 
Wilmington, and we would consequently have an op- 
portunity of going Northward. The next day Captain 
Ainsworth reached Fayetteville from Wilmington on 
a tug, up the Cape Fear river, one hundred and twenty 
miles, spite of the reports current that the river was 
filled with torpedoes, and blocked up by trees, and by 
the rebel ram Chickamauga sunk across it, and that 
numerous rebel batteries were established at difierent 
points on the river. He made the trip up with entire 
safety, without losing a man, although continually fired 
into by the rebels along the shore. We were kindly 
furnished transportation on this craft, and the after- 
noon of the day following we bid farewell to our gen- 



AND HOW TREATED. 207 

erons friends of the ISTinet}'- Second, and sailed for the 
city of Wilmington, and from thence proceeded to 
Washington — got our " greenbacks " — and went on 
our several ways, rejoicing that gloomy prison walls no 
longer surrounded us — that we were free to breathe the 
fresh, pure air of heaven, and experience once more 
the endearing influence of home and friends, beneath 
the protecting folds of the " starry banner." 



CHAPTER XV. 



While in Charleston, confined in the work-house, 
there one day filed by that building about one thous- 
and of the most wretched, pitiable, and abject looking 
human beings that in any land — christian, heathen or 
pagan — ever trod the Almighty's footstool, or breathed 
the air of heaven. Black as most of the slaves on any 
plantation in the " Confederacy, " gaunt, haggard and 
thin as skeletons, and the Kickapoo Indian, clad in his 
breach-clout, leggings and mocasins, is magnificently 
and comfortably costumed in comparison with these 
poor wretches. In surprise and horror you ask who 
they were ? United States soldiers, whom the fortunes 
of war had thrown into the hands of a people, who, 
with many appeals to christian principles, asked the 
favor of Divine Providence on the cause in which they 
were engaged, but as a just retribution of their wicked 
deeds, the Almighty cursed them instead. These poor 
victims of their fiendish treatment were fresh from the 
prison hell at Andersonville, Georgia. We had pre- 
viously heard much of the horrors of that detestable 
place, but never before had we beheld any of the un- 
fortunates whose fate it was to be there confined, and 
we were now convinced that imagination failed to pic- 
ture their misery. At Wilmington we again came in 
contact with several hundred of these hapless victims 

(208) 



AND HOW TREATED. 209 

of rebel barbarity. The testimony of these men rela- 
tive to the cruelties practiced on them by rebel officials 
is too horrible for civilized people to contemplate, and 
many of them too, when giving it, were in the last 
agonies of death. It is true the class of prisoners we 
met here were the worst cases, such as were not able 
for removal to more northern hospitals ; but the treat- 
ment of all was the same, and those possessing the 
greatest powers of endurance were of course the least 
afflicted. 

While in Wilmington I visited the various hospitals 
in which our men who had been prisoners were receiv- 
ing medical treatment:. One of the surgeons in charge 
informed me that there were nearly three hundred 
cases under treatment, all of whom would lose either 
one or both feet, in consequence of cold, exjposiire, and 
scurvy. Amputation was not necessary, as they had 
so rotted that a pair of scissors was only required to 
clip the sinews, which left the bone sometimes protrud- 
ing several inches beyond the putrid and decaying 
flesh. 

Concerning the general condition of the prisoners 
arriving at Wilmington, Doctor J. C. Dalton, profes- 
sor of Physiology and Microscopic Anatomy, in the 
College of Physicians and Surgeons, in the city of 
Il^ew York, made the following report : 

"The better cases were walking about the streets, 
perhaps barefooted, or with no other clothing than a 
pair of white cotton drawers and an old blanket or 
over-coat, both equally ragged. In these, the slow, 
dragging gait, listless manner and cavernous, inexpres- 
sive look of the face, together with the general emacia- 
tion, formed a peculiar aspect, by which they alone at- 
tracted the attention of the passer-by, and by which 
(14) 



210 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

they were at once distinguished from the other conva- 
lescent soldiers. There was no occasion to inquire in 
Wilmington which were our returned prisoners; after 
half a day's experience any one could distinguish them 
at a glance. Many of them, who had strength to crawl 
about in this manner, were prevented from doing so by 
he want of clothing. Major Eandlete, the Provost 
Marshal of Wilmington, told me that on one day forty 
of these men came into our lines absolutely as naked as 
they were horn. I inquired of a considerable number of 
them, whom I saw in the hospitals confined to their 
beds, naked, or with only a shirt, and covered with a 
hospital blanket, what had become of their clothing, 
and was told that they had thrown away what remained 
as soon as they could obtain shelter, because it was so 
ragged, filthy, and full of vermin. One of them, on 
being told that the Sanitary Commission had sent them 
flannel shirts and drawers, caught at the words with a 
childish eagerness, and repeated the good news to his 
companions with a faint, half-imbecile smile, as long as 
fl was within hearing. With the great majority of the 
I feebler ones personal cleanliness was a thing which 
they appeared to have entirely forgotten. They no 
longer retained sufiicient strength, either of mind or 
body, to appreciate or correct the degradation to which 
months of unavoidable filthiness had reduced them. 
In the most extreme cases the condition of the mind, 
as well as the expression of the face, was absolutely 
fatuous, and the aspect of the patient was not that of 
a strong man reduced by illness, but that of an idiotic 
pauper, who had been such from his birth, l^ever- 
theless, several of the surgeons informed me that the 
condition of the patients had visibly improved since 
their reception, and that I could not then form an ade- 



AND HOW TREATED. 211 

quate idea of what it was when they entered our lines. 
In that case it must have been lamentable beyond de- 
scription. 

"The testimony of both men and officers was uniform 
as to the causes of their unnatural condition. These 
causes were, first, starvation, and second, exposure. 
Only such officers and men as could procure money 
were able to obtain anything like sufficient nourish- 
ment. Some of them told me that during the entire 
winter they had received absolutely no meat; a pint of 
corn-meal, often with the cob ground in, sometimes 
with and sometimes without salt, a handful of "cow- 
peas," and sometimes sorghum molasses, constituted 
their usual ration. When in hospital, they had only 
very thin corn-meal gruel and a little corn bread. To 
the debility occasioned by this insufficient food was 
added that resulting from exposure. It w^as a common 
thing for a prisoner, immediately on being taken, to be 
stripped of his clothing — shoes, socks, pantaloons, 
shirts and drawers — and to be left with only an old 
worn out pair of drawers, and perhaps an equally worn 
out shirt and blanket given him in exchange. This 
robbery of clothing was also practiced more or less on 
officers. Even an assistant surgeon, who was captured 
within four miles of Eichmond, told me that he was 
robbed of his flannel shirt while standing in front of 
Libby Prison, and in presence of the rebel officer in 
charge of the squad. This was immediately after his 
arrival in the city, and when he had been, for the three 
days succeeding his capture, entirely without food. 
With the scanty clothing thus left them, the men were 
kept during the winter, often without any shelter, ex- 
cepting such as they could contrive to provide by exca- 
vating a sort of rifle-pit in the ground, and covering it 



212 THE PRISONER OP WAR, 

with old blankets and canvass, as their supply of fuel 
was insufficient, and sometimes entirely wanting. 
Even in the hospitals their suffering from cold was 
very great. 

" One of the most melancholy sights in Wilmington, 
was that to be seen at the 'Geer' hospitals. In these 
hospitals were collected all those patients who had lost 
their feet, either wholly or in part, by freezing, from 
their exposure during the past winter, and this in a 
well-wooded country. In some of them two or three 
toes only, on one or both feet, were gangrened, and in 
process of sepraating by ulceration ; in others both 
feet had entirely separated, and the patients were 
awaiting the time when their general strength and the 
condition of the stump would warrant a final amputa- 
tion. In many cases the patients ascribed this gan- 
grene directly to frost-bites received on particular oc- 
casions ; in others to their illness from which they were 
suffering — generally fever combined with exposure. 
My own impression, derived from the result of many 
inquiries, was, that it was generally due to a continu- 
ous depression of the vital energies from starvation 
and neglect, resulting gradually in a destruction of the 
life of those parts most exposed to the cold and the 
weather." 

The only wonder is, that so many survived the bru- 
talities to which they were subjected by those fiendish 
monsters, General John H. Winder, Captain Henry 
"Wertz, and other inhuman and merciless rebel officials, 
and not that so large a number perished. To say that 
the Southern people, as a mass, were responsible for 
these outrages on humanity and christian civilization, 
would be an unjust aspersion, for there were among 



AND now TREATED. 213 

them many kind and sympathizing hearts who would 
gladly have exerted themselves to mitigate as far as 
possible the sufferings of the unfortunate prisoners, 
had they been allowed that privilege, by the officials 
whom Jeffi Davis, in consideration of their cruel na- 
tures, appointed ostensibly for the purpose of taking 
care of prisoners of war, but really to murder them. 
Had these cruelties been the result of accident instead 
of a deliberate purpose to totally incapacitate our sol- 
diers for future service, more leniency might be shown 
the ex-President of the rebel States, and the minions 
who executed his hellish designs. But in Georgia, 
Alabama, and even in the Carolinas, our troops found 
everywhere an abundance of corn and bacon, which 
could well have been shipped to Andersonville, or any 
other point where our men were confined, as the capa- 
city of the roads in these localities for transportation, 
was not over-taxed, as they w^ere in the immediate vi- 
cinity of the rebel armies, where, if our men had been 
confined there, there might have been some apology 
for short rations ; and, further, it was always in their 
power to confine their prisoners in healthy localities, 
and provide them with comfortable quarters, had they 
been so disposed to do, instead of sending them into 
the miasmatic swamps of Georgia, and then herding 
thirty -five thousand on an area of less than thirty acres. 

Colonel OuLD, under date of March seventeenth, 1863, 
in a communication to his master, exulting over the 
complete success of the wicked scheme to destroy 
Union prisoners, sa3'S : 

" The arrangements I have made (for exchanging 
prisoners) works largely in our favor. We get rid of 
a set of miserable wretches and receive some of the 
best piaterial I ever saw." 



214 THE PRISONER OF VvAR, 

A portion of the rebel Congress once visited Mr. 
Davis, to remonstrate against the treatment of Union 
prisoners, but their petition was refused by Davis and 
his cabinet, on the ground of policy merely. A rebel 
Lieutenant connected with the guard at Andersonville 
prison, who still possessed some principles of hu- 
manity, once remonstrated with General Winder on 
the general barbarous treatment of the prisoners, and 
suggested a plan for furnishing them with a sufficient 
quantity of sweet and healthy water, adding that hund- 
reds were dying solely on account of not having good 
water. The hoary headed old traitor flew into a vio- 
lent passion and replied, " the G — d d — d wretches 
are not dying half fast enough." 

One of the prisoners confined in this Golgotha, in 
an excellent article in the Atlantic Monthly, describes 
as follows the appearance and condition of the old 
prisoners in the Andersonville yen when he entered 
that hopeless receptacle of Union prisoners : 

" There were at this time under torture, twenty- 
eight thousand prisoners, * * >ii ?ic 
and as the Southern Confederacy, a christian associ- 
ation, and conducting itself with many appeals to 
christian principle, believes " the wind is tempered to 
the shorn lamb," and so shears the Yankees as close as 
possible. These men had been formerly fleeced of 
such worldly gear as blankets, money and clothing. 
Some further shearing there had been also, but irregu- 
lar, depending chiefly on the temper of the captors, 
stripping them sometimes to shirt and drawers, leaving 
them occasionally jacket and shoes ; so now most were 
barefooted, most in rags, and some had not even rags. 
They had lain on the bare earth, sodden with damp or 
calcined into dust, and borne storm and heat helplessly, 



AND HOW TREATED. * 215 

without even the shelter of a board, until they were 
burned and wasted to the likeness of haggard ghosts. 
Most had forgotten hope, many decency ; some were 
dying, and crawled over the ground with a woful per- 
sistency that it would have broken your heart to see. 
They were all fasting, for the day's rations, tossed to 
them the afternoon before, had been devoured, as was 
the custom, at a single meal, and proved scant at that; 
and they crowded wolfishly about the wagons, the 
most miserable, pitiable mob that ever had mothers, 
wives and sisters at home to pray for them." 

The rations drawn — the same writer goes on to de- 
scribe their quantity and quality and their manner of 
preparing them to be eaten. He says : 

" A day's rations, remember, were eight ounces of In- 
dian meal, cob and kernel ground together, (as with us 
for pigs) and sour, (a common occurrence) and two 
ounces of condemned pork. Salt was not even hinted 
at, the market price of that article being four dollars a 
pound at Andersonville. Eight ounces of meal, made 
a cake six inches long, five broad, and half an inch 
thick." That is to say, three meals were comprised 
in a mass six inches long, ■Q.ve broad, and half an inch 
thick ; but the famished prisoners generally preferred 
taking the three meals in one, and even then their 
hungry stomachs were not satisfied ; yet they got no 
more until the same hour next day. Their rations de- 
voured, as the shades of night approach, the prisoners 
go to bed, which he says was, " quite an elaborate ar- 
rangement as practiced among us, what with taking 
ofi' our clothes, and possibly washing and combing, 
and pulling up of sheets and coverlets, and fitting of 
pillows to neck and shoulders; but nothing can be 



216 

more simple than the way they do it there. You just 
lie down wherever you are — and sleep — if you can." 

Eeferriiig to the general debility of the prisoners, 
and the horrible, sickening, and offensive condition af 
the camp or prison pen, he speaks as follows: 

"^ ^ '^ ♦ a Stomach and body weakened 
by a perpetual hunger, and, in many cases, utter inabil- 
ity to retain food, good or bad. More than that, the 
sluggish water course that served as their reservoir 
crept across their pen foul and thick with the debris of 
the rebel camp above, and in the center filtered through 
the spongy ground, and creamed and mantled and 
spread out loathsomely in a hateful swamp ; and the 
fierce sun, beating down on its slimy surface, drew 
from its festering pools and mounds of refuse, a vapor 
of death, and the prisoners breathed it; and the reek 
of unwashed and diseased bodies, crowding close on 
each other, and the sickening, pestilential odor of a 
huge camp without sewerage or system of policing, 
made the air a horror, and the prisoners breathed it." 

The treatment received by our prisoners at the hands 
of southern rebels, although presented to the public, 
in the papers of the day, has never been portrayed in 
colors sufiiciently vivid, and the fiendish natures of 
those men, appointed by Jeff. Davis, to kill them by 
inches, to torture them to death, never have, and never 
can be, set forth in words. In fact, language is incap- 
able of conveying the horrors of the sufferings of Union 
soldiers who were confined on Belle Isle, at Anderson- 
ville. Milieu, Florence and Saulsbury. 



CHAPTER XVI. 



EIGHT MONTHS IN THE PEN. 

Henry M. Roach, private of Company (x, Seventy- 
Eighth regiment Ohio volunteers, was captured on the 
Atlanta campaign, and near that city ; from his state- 
ments I derive some interesting particulars. He was 

marched on the day of September, along 

with other prisoners, to the pen at Andersonville — a 
huge, roofless inclosure, made of squared pines set 
perpendicularly and close together in the ground. As 
they butted up against it, their eyes were greeted by 
sight of about fifty dead bodies deposited in rows on 
either side of the gate, which, as they entered, should 
have wailed forth, ^' Leave all hope behind.'' 

For two months, he says, they never tasted bread, 
having learned by experience that a half pint of In- 
dian meal would go farther towards " filling up " when 
made into gruel than if baked in the ashes, or on a 
chip in front of the smoky, pine fire. In fact, they eat 
everything issued them, either raw, or boiled. Beans, 
meal, rice, and the microscopic bulk of rancid bacon, 
were all boiled together, and devoured at one meal. 

(217) 



218 THE PRISONER OP WAR, 

The water which they used was procured from a small 
stagnant stream that coursed through the center of 
the camp, and served the double purpose of furnishing 
water for cooking, drinking, and washing, and as a 
sewerage for the filth and refuse matter accumulated 
on the ground on which there lived thirty thousand 
hopeless men. As a consequence, all suffered, and 
many sickened and died from the daily use of the im- 
pure and poisonous liquid. But their sufferings from 
this cause were at length alleviated, by (what the pris- 
oners believed) a merciful intervention of Providence. 
From one of the most elevated portions of the prison 
grounds, and which had always been perfectly dry, ex- 
cepting when it rained very heavily, there suddenly, 
and without any previous signs, burst forth a fountain, 
thick as a man's arm, of pure, sweet and health}' water, 
and during the time the prisoners remained there, it 
continued to flow, without any abatement, as full and 
strong a current as when it first spouted up from the 
bowels of the earth. 

They were robbed of everything that could, in the 
smallest degree, contribute to the health or comfort of 
cither man or beast, neither clothing, blankets or shel- 
ter of any kind was allowed them, nor scarcely fuel 
sufficient to cook their starvation ration of Indian 
meal, (this, too, in the^ midst of a country abounding 
in great forests of huge pine timber) to say nothing of 
an amount necessary to preserve the warmth of life 
in naked human beings, exposed, as they were, day 
and night, to the inclemency of an unfriendly latitude 
in mid winter. Through the day, when the sun would 
come out for a little while, and lend his kindly smiles 
to the encouragement of the poor prisoners, they 
would huddle together, and, in heaps, on the ground, 



AND HOW TREATED. 219 

endeavor to sleep. But when night, with its chilly 
dews and poisonous vapors, enveloped the camp, they 
might have been seen in squads of fifteen and twenty, 
crouched together over the suffocating smoke of a few 
green pine faggots, which, occasionally, by dint of hard 
blowing, sent up for a moment a cheerful blaze. Thus 
most of them sat and watched, and cursed, and prayed 
night after night, throughout the long, dreary, wretched 
winter. Others, however, whom cold and starvation 
had not reduced so greatly in strength and energy, 
would keep on their feet, and pace up and down the 
camp all night. This, also, to prevent perishing with 
the cold and frost. 

TRADING DEAD MEN FOR WOOD. 

To such a famishing, freezing condition were the 
poor, miserable wretches at Andersonville brought by 
the constant, systematic cruelty and deprivation to 
which they had been subjected by the ofiicials having 
them in charge, that it might almost literally be said 
that they resorted to the plan indicated by the above 
heading, to procure a few slender sticks of fuel, with 
which to cook their coarse, unbolted meal, and to keep- 
heat in their bodies, and their extremeties from abso- 
lutely freezing. The phrase, " Trading dead men for 
wood," originated in this way : — when a prisoner died, 
two or three of his comrades, some time during the 
next twenty-four hours succeeding the event, were al- 
lowed to carry him outside of the stockade, which gave 
them an opportunity of picking up a few sticks of wood 
as they returned. 

It is impossible to realize the terrible condition, both 
of body and mind, that human beings — men, naturally 



220 

of noble and generous impulses — are brought to, when 
they absolutely rejoice at such occasions as the above, 
for the opportunity of procuring a few chips or splin- 
ters of green fuel. 

When Sherman started on the march southward from 
Atlanta, in October, 1864, most of the prisoners were 
removed from Andersonville to Savannah, Millen, and 
other points, which, it was thought, would be beyond 
the reach of our armies. And during the whole time 
(three days) occupied in the removal, not one morsel 
of food was furnished, and the fourth day they only 
received three small crackers. " The first day of our 
fasting (isays my brother, from whom I derive the in- 
formation), we were hungry, very hungry ; the second 
day, we seemed to have overcome it and did not suffer 
so much, but the third day, even the most hale and 
stout of us were absolutely so weak that it was impos- 
sible to maintain an erect position but for a few min- 
utes at a time." 

Human nature shudders at the bare recital of the 
atrocities practiced by the incarnate fiends in charge 
of the southern prisons on the unfortunate victims who 
filled them. Hundreds of them were reduced by starv- 
ation and brutal treatment to such a degree of wretch- 
edness, that they deliberately walked up to the '' dead 
line," that the guards might shoot them, and thus end 
their misery. " Two hundred and sixty-seven of these 
cases," writes Miss Clara Barton, from Andersonville, 
whither she had went on a misson of love and philan- 
throphy, "were disintered in one day for decent 
burial." 

Let those who think the statements that have, from 
time to time appeared in the public prints, are the sen- 
sation articles of hired correspondents, or exaggerated 



AND HOW TREATED. 221 

testimony of our returned prisoners, suflering (as they 
think) imaginary wrongs, read the following letter, 
written by a Georgia planter, who resided in the vicin- 
ity of Andersonville, while our prisoners were confined 
there, and who, consequently, had an opportunity of 
knowing the spirit that animated the officials connected 
with that Golgotha, and the condition of the hapless 
victims of their cruelty : 

*'ITew York, Thursday, August M, 
" To THE Editors oe the Evening Post : 

"There appears to be a disposition on the part of 
some of the public press to mitigate the ofienses and 
crimes of Major Henry Wertz, late the responsible 
keeper of the stockade at Andersonville, Georgia, and 
to throw upon others the responsibilities that justly at- 
tach to those alone who were in immediate command 
of that prison. Being personally acquainted with most 
of the officers who were stationed at Andersonville, and 
knowing much of the treatment of those who were so 
unfortunate as to have been confined in that pen of 
horror, I have thought that a condensed statement of 
how things were managed, and prisoners of war treated 
there, might not be entirely unacceptable to your read- 
ers. 

" I wish to be understood as not desirous to forestall 
the action or opinion of the commission which is about 
to investigate this matter, or to add anything to the 
feeling entertained toward Major Wertz. It is enough 
for him to rest, now and forever, under an obloquy 
that no time and no repentance can obliterate ; to feel 
within himself the unenviable pangs which the recol- 
lection of his powerless murdered victims will ever 
arouse, and to know that whatever may be the award 



222 

of a human tribunal, his punishment is ah'eady de- 
creed. 

" The prison of Andersonvilie is a stockade about 
eighteen feet high, the posts comprising it being sunk 
in the ground live feet ; it originally comprised an area 
of eighteen acres, but was subsequently enlarged to 
twenty-seven acres. The inclosure is upon the side of 
a hill, looking toward the south, at the foot of which 
is a small brook about five feet wide and as many 
inches deep, which furnished the water for the use of 
the prisoners. Within this inclosure were turned the 
prisoners as they arrived, and left to provide for them- 
selves, there being no shelters, or arbors, or any kind 
of protection afibrded by trees or otherwise against the 
burning rays of the Southern sun, the furious storms 
or the freezing winters. 

" The position was selected by Captain Winder, a 
son of General John H. Winder, who was sent from 
Richmond for that purpose in the latter part of 1863. 
When it was suggested to him by a disinterested, but 
humane spectator, of his operations, that it would, per- 
haps, be better to leave the trees standing within the 
proposed stockade, as they would afford shade to the 
prisoners, he replied : 'That was just what he was not 

going to do ; he was going to make a pen for the 

Yankees, where they could rot faster than they could 
be sent there.' 

"And admirably did he accomplish his mission. 

" The first commandant of the post was Colonel Per- 
sons, who was soon succeeded by John H. Winder, with 
his son as Adjutant, his nephew as Commissary and 
Sutler, and Henry Wertz in immediate command of 
the prisoners. There were generally stationed there, 
for guard duty, from three to six regiments of infantry, 



AND HOW TREATED. 223 

with one company of artillery, having a battery of six 
pieces, according to the exigences of the case, the num- 
ber of prisoners then confined, or the fears entertained 
of an attempt to set them at liberty by raiding parties 
of United States troops. 

" When prisoners were first received, it was usual to 
subject them to a search for money, valuables, etc., 
which, ostensibly were to be restored, when they were 
released from captivity, but which, in reality, went into 
the pockets of those who controlled the prison. Not- 
withstanding a law of the Confederacy expressly pro- 
hibiting the dealing in 'greenbacks,' yet the initiated, 
a few whose Royalty' was unquestioned, could always 
obtain, for a consideration, the greenbacks they re- 
quired. 

" The writer of this was the foreman of the last 
grand jury which was impanneled for Sumner county, 
Georgia, and, in the performance of his duties, he had 
to investigate a large number of presentments for deal- 
ing in the forbidden currency, which was brought 
against poor Union men in every instance. Struck by 
this fact, he resolved to examine, as his position gave 
him a right to do, into all the circumstances : where 
money originally came from, who did the selling of it, 
indeed the whole modus operandi, and he elicited the 
fact above stated, how the money was obtained, that 
the Winders and Wertz were the principals, acting 
through subordinates, in gathering bushels of plums, 
in the way of premiums, etc. Meanwhile the prison- 
ers were left to the tender mercies of their jailor and 
commissary for their food, which might have been im- 
proved in quantity at least, if their money had been 
left in their own possession. 

" At first it was customary to send a wagon into the 



224 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

stockade every morning at ten o'clock, loaded with 
the rations for the morning — bacon and corn bread, 
nothing else ; but as the number of prisoners increased 
and the greed of gain grew upon the trio above men- 
tioned, the corn bread was reduced in its quality, be- 
ing then manufactured of equal proportions of ground 
field peas and corn, unbolted, unsifted, uncleansed, in- 
deed, from the trash which peas naturally accumulate; 
and, at last, when the number of prisoners increased 
to over thirty-seven thousand, the meat rations per 
week were reduced to a piece of bacon, for each man, 
about three inches long and two wide, with one pone 
of the bread above described per day. Then, also, the 
custom of carrying the prisoners' food into the stock- 
ade was abolished. They drove up to the gates, which 
were slightly opened, and the scanty food, foul and un- 
healthy as it was, was thrown inside by the guard, to 
be scrambled for by the wretched prisoners, the strong- 
est and those nearest the gate getting the largest share, 
the weak and sickly getting none. 

"I have mentioned the small brook which runs 
through the lower part of the stockade, and which 
supphed the water for drinking and washing. This 
brook has its rise in a swamp not far from the prison, 
and at no time, certainly not, a lengthened period, was 
the water suitable or healthy ; but when the fseces and 
filth, the drainage of the whole camp of prisoners, came 
to be superadded to the natural unfitness of the water 
for drinking or cleansing purposes, my readers can 
judge what thirst was assuaged, or fever cooled, or 
throbbing temples washed, by this floating stream of 
filth and disease ! At any time, under the most rigid 
hygienic restrictions, it is difficult to maintain health 
and cleanliness among a large body of men — what do 



AND HOW TREATED. 225 

jon think was the condition of thirty-seven thousand 
half-naked, half-starved men, without any police regu- 
lations, under no moral or restraining influences? If 
the remnant who were finally allowed to pass out of 
this military Golgotha were not wild beasts, unwashed, 
befouled devils, no thanks are to be given to Henry 
"Wertz for lack of eflbrt to produce such a consumma- 
tion. 

"When it rained, as it does in that climate almost 
continually during the spring and fall months, the soil 
within the inclosure was one mass of loblolly, soft mud, 
at least fifteen inches in depth, through which stalked 
and staggered the gaunt, half-clad wretches thus con- 
fined. The stench from the prison could he perceived for 
two miles, and farmers living in the neighborhood, began 
to fear for the health of their families. 

"As a consequence of this, the hospitals — facetious 
was Wertz in his horrible humanity — were crowded to 
repletion with the emaciated, starved and diseased men 
who were trundled into them. 

"The hospitals were constructed of logs, unhewed, 
the interstices unfilled and open, admitting the rain, 
without floors, cots, bunks or blankets, filthy and fetid 
with the festering, putrid bodies of the sick, the dying 
and the dead. Words fail, language is impotent to de- 
scribe one of these dens of disease and death. I once 
mustered the courage, impelled by the earnest entrea- 
ties of a ]^orthern friend, to enter one of them, to visit 
one who was tenderl}^ reared, and walked in the bes* 
ranks of Connecticut society. I believed I had seen 
before this what I deemed to be human wretchedness 
in its worst forms. I thought that I could nerve my- 
self to witness mortal agony and wretchedness, and 
destitution, as I had heard it described, without blanch- 
(15) 



226 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

ing or trembling. But if the condensed horrors of a 
hundred * black holes ' had been brought before my 
mind to prepare me for the ordeal, they would have 
failed to realize the facts as I saw them face to face. 

'' I cannot, in a daily paper, read by innocence and 
virtue, detail what met my sight on the occasion I refer 
o. I will not pollute any page, save the records of the 
courts that must try the culprit for the crime of torture 
by disease and filth, with the details of that caravan- 
sary of horrible, intentional slaughter. For fear that 
some may think I have exaggerated, an episode here 
will, perhaps, dispel such illusion. Convicted by the 
horrible fact that was a stench in his nostrils, General 
"Winder, then Commissary General of Prisons, but hav- 
ing his headquarters at Andersonville, was forced by 
decency, not humanity, for this he himself asserted, to 
ask the aid of the Presiding Elder of the Methodist 
Church of that circuit to adopt some means to allevi- 
ate the miseries and soothe the wretchedness of the 
poor inmates of that Andersonville hospital. This gen- 
tleman invoked the co-operation of the women of Sum- 
ter county, who responded with clothing and necessa- 
ries only, for these alone are allowed, to the amount of 
four wagon loads. Upon the day appointed, four la- 
dies, accompanied by their husbands, went to the prison 
and sought from the Provost Marshal a pass, to take 
their benefactions to the sick prisoners. It was re- 
fused with a curse ! The party proceeded to Winder's 
headquarters, where Henry Wertz was in company 
with the General. The demand for a pass was repeat- 
ed. Understand, the ladies were present, and the rea- 
sons given why the party were there, in accordance 
with Winder's special request. To their astonishment 



AND HOW TREATED. 227 

they wcic met with this reply : * G — d d — n you, have 
you all turned Yankees here?' 

"^Ko, General,' responded the spokesman of the 
party, 'I am not, as you know, nor are any here pres- 
ent; we have come, as you requested us, through Rev. 
Mr. D., to bring necessary articles for the Federal hos- 
pital, and ask a pass for the purpose of delivering them.' 

*' 'It's a d — d lie ! I never gave permission for any- 
thing of the kind ! Be off with you, all of you !' 

"As if this fearless display of martial valor and gen- 
tlemanly bearing was not sufficient, Henry Wertz es- 
sayed to and did eclipse his General in profanity and 
indecency; and I here assert that if the lowest sinks 
of the most abandoned parts of your city were gleaned, 
they could not surpass the ribald vulgarity and fin- 
ished profanity of this jailor, exhibited in the presence 
of refined and Moyal' ladies. 

" Shocked, terrified, beaten to the very dust with 
mortification, the party retired, and, foiled in their ef- 
forts to succor the sick, or alleviate the tortures of the 
dying Union soldier, they gave their loads of clothing 
and food to a passing column of Federal soldiers on 
their way to another place — Millen. They at least had 
the satisfaction of knowing that some were benefitted 
even if they had failed in their efforts for those who 
most needed their assistance. 

" During the last winter — which was unusually cold 
for Georgia, when the ice made an inch thick — no shel- 
ter, no blankets or clothes, no wood was provided for 
the wretched inmates of that prison. Squads were 
permitted, to the number of thirty, to go out under 
guard daily for one hour, without axes or any cutting 
tool, to gather the refuse and rotten wood in the for- 
ests; and if they outstaid their time they were tried 



228 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

by a drumhead court martial, charged with violating 
their parole, and, if found guilty, were hung. I, my- 
self, saw three bodies hanging who were thus executed. 
Poor fellows, I thought, God has taken pity upon you 
and given you deliverance from your cruel jailor. 
When you and I meet, at another judgment seat, woe 
to him if his authority be found insufficient for the 
taking of your lives, wretched though they be. 

My house was the resort — or I should say refuge — 
of most of the prisoners who made their escape from 
the stockade, and the tales of starvation and distress 
which they told would have melted an iron heart. I 
must close my hurried account of what I had seen. 
It is far from full ; not one half has been told ; by far 
the most has been kept back from very shame, and in 
respect to your readers. I have not embellished. The 
pictures were too rough, the characters too forlorn for 
the flowers of rhetoric to bloom in their presence. 
Eroken hearts, crushed spirits and manhood trampled 
on, may answer as fitting subjects for the romancer's 
pen, but the horrible reality, so seldom seen, burns its 
images upon the beholder's soul, that no other impres- 
sions can efiace, and they remain life-pictures indeed." 

But facts and statements, and the sworn testimony 
of returned prisoners, have already enough been ad- 
duced to fasten forever the scorn of the civilized world 
upon the inhuman perpetrators of these fiendish 
deeds. And so long as they go unpunished, the wail 
of ten thousand widowed wives and orphaned children 
will shriek along the western prairies, among ISTew 
England hills, upon the shores of the lakes, and upoa 
the sea coast, crying aloud for vengeance. 



CHAPTER XVII. 



PERSONAL SKETCHES. 

It was the intention to drop here the trail of the his- 
tory, so briefly and imperfectly sketched, of the most 
trying vicissitudes and sufferings that any soldiers of 
the Union armies experienced during the gigantic war 
to crush the great rebellion of the Southern slave hold- 
ers. But it would be recreant to the trust of friend- 
ship, and callous to the holy inspirations that chord 
with the genius of old associations, did I omit mention 
of the names of those brave and gallant comrades 
Major B. C. G. Reed, Lieutenant E. E". Eead, Major 
(now Brevet Brigadier General) Harry White, and 
other noble spirits with whom I was associated during 
the long, dark period of our imprisonment. 

MAJOR HARRY WHITE. 

One of the most popular officers, generous friends, 
and gallant soldiers, confined with me in the Libby and 
other rebel prisons, was Major (now Brevet Brigadier 
General) Harry White. He was captured at Win- 
chester, Virginia, in June, 1863, his regiment, the Six- 

(229) 



230 

ty- Seventh Pennsylvania, of w^hicli he was then in 
command, being left there, with two or three others, 
to cover the evacuation and retreat of Major General 
Milroy's main army, when compelled to abandon that 
point by an overwhelming force of the rebels under 
Lieutenant General Ewell, the fifteenth of June, 1863. 

Major White, by his noble qualities of head and 
heart, soon endeared himself to his associates in prison. 
An earnest, eloquent, and fearless speaker, he took a 
prominent part in all efi:brts of the prisoners to make 
our suffering condition known to our friends in the 
iJ^orth — to condemn the brutal attrocities of the rebel 
authorities — and to stigmatize with just condemnation 
the base conduct of those among us, who, with rebel 
hearts, but wearing the United States uniform endeav- 
ored to stifle the voice of our reasonable complaints, 
thereby sanctioning the action of rebels, and mislead- 
ing our government and friends at home. 

The Major, while with us in Libby, was also ye ed- 
itor of the "Libby Chronicle," a journal devoted to 
politics and religion, and chronicler of events in prison 
life. It was written on foolscap, and read weekly to 
the assembled " Libbyites." 

Efforts were made during the fall of 1863, by the 
Major's friends in Pennsylvania, to have him released 
by a special exchange, and as he was at that time a 
member of the Pennsylvania State Senate, the vote of 
which was a tie, without his ballot, which would be cast 
with the Union side, our commissioner for exchange 
of prisoners readily assented, and proposed to Robert 
Ould, rebel commissioner, to exchange for Major White 
any Confederate officer, of the same rank, whom our 
government held a prisoner of war. But the rebel of- 
ficials, hoping to retard and confuse the organization 



AND HOW TREATED. 231 

of the Pennsylvama Legislature, which, with White 
present, was Republican, or Union, by the majority of 
one, would not consent to give him up, thinking, no 
doubt, they thereby materially aided the enemies of the 
Union in the Keystone State ; who, it is reasonable to 
suppose, were thankful for the favor. 

In ]^ovember all the Surgeons confined in Libby 
Prison, some of whom had been prisoners for many 
months, were exchanged and sent ISTorth. When they 
were called out of the prison. Major White stepped 
into their ranks and passed out as one of the disciples 
of Esculapius. 'Not either the officials connected with 
the prison, or those who conducted the prisoners to 
City Point, were aware that a Yankee Major was in 
the party. The fact, however, was known to many of 
the prisoners, and one whose name appears in another 
chapter of this volume in no enviable light, was soon 
after in close consultation with Major Turner, com- 
mandant of the prison, and nearly all the prisoners 
were of the opinion that he communicated the inform- 
ation concerning the Major's exit from the prison, to 
that worthy, who telegraphed the fact to City Point, 
and he was accordingly taken back to Richmond. 

Soon after this attempt to escape, he was taken from 
Libby to Salisbury, and for some time kept hand- 
ironed and in solitary confinement. No reason was 
ever assigned for this outrageous proceeding. But the 
natui^l inference of those who had daily opportunities 
of witnessing the malicious conduct of rebel officials, 
was that they wished to torture and pile indignities on 
him on account of his prominent Republican proclivi- 
ties. 

In the following spring he was taken out of the 
prison at Salisbury, and started en route for Macon, 



232 

where most of the Union officers, prisoners of war, 
were then confined. He escaped from the guard on 
the route, and succeeded in getting far into the moun- 
tains of western North Carolina, where he was tracked 
by the dogs, and finally recaptured. When, a few 
days subsequent, he was turned in the stockade with 
us at Macon, many of his former friends absolutely 
wept on beholding his torn and mangled body. Arms, 
legs and shoulders bore great gashes — tooth-prints of 
the savage dogs with which their more savage masters 
trailed and captured him. 

From this time until exchanged, in the following 
September, he was kept with, and on the same footing 
as the other prisoners, on whom his straight forward, 
manly character, affable disposition, patience and en- 
durance under all circumstances, exercised a cheerful 
and genial influence. 

DRISCOLL AND PAVEY. 

Among the many noble victims of rebel persecution 
and barbarity, none had such extensive and bitter ex- 
perience of that refined mode of torture — solitary con- 
finement on coarse and insufficient food, in dank, dark, 
under ground dungeons — as Captain E. M. Driscoll, 
Third Ohio Volunteers, and Lieutenant C. IV". Pavey, 
Eightieth regiment Illinois Infantry. By their fear- 
less and out spoken opinions in regard to the " Confed- 
eracy," and the leaders thereof, they each rendered 
themselves peculiarly obnoxious to rebel officials, which 
resulted in their being taken without form or ceremony 
and confined in damp, narrow cells, and informed that 
they were to be executed in retaliation for the death 
of two rebel recruiting officers, executed for violation 



AND HOW TREATED. 233 

of a standing order issued by Major General Burnside, 
while in command of the Department of the Ohio. 

In torture and agony, both of body and mind, these 
officers were confined in the dark, damp, filthy dungeon 
described in a former chapter of this volume, one hun- 
dred and forty-seven days, Nearly every day they were 
visited by Dick Turner, who, with curses and abusive 
epithets, would taunt and insult them in the most 
shameful manner. 

Their rations most of the time consisted exclusively 
of about one-half pound of coarse corn bread per day 
for each of them, with a sufficient quantity of James 
river w^ater, to " wash it down." ]^or were they al- 
lowed the privilege of communicating with their 
friends, or any parties outside of the prison ; and their 
hopes and fears were alternately excited by such in- 
formation as the keepers of the prison choose to give 
them. One day they would be informed that the author- 
ities had fally determined on their execution, and they 
had as well make preparation for that interesting occa- 
sion, while, perhaps, the very next day they would be in- 
formed by the same authority that all hostages were to 
be released, and they would accordingly be exchanged 
immediatel}^ Thus passed their time through all these 
wretched, dreary days, weeks, and months, their cruel 
tormentors inspiring them with hope one day merely for 
the satisfaction of dashing it to the ground the next, 
leaving them more depressed in spirits and physical 
energy than at first. 

Imprisonment, even under the most favorable cir- 
cumstances, with a sufficient quantity of wholesome 
and palatable food, pure water, comfortable beds, and 
light, airy rooms, with opportunities for exercising, is, 
indeed, a most wretched state of existence; but im- 



234 THE PRISONER OP WAR, 

agination can not realize the sufferings and misery of 
those, who, like Captain DriscoU and Lieutenant Pavey, 
for nearly five months were shut out from the pure air 
of heaven and the sun's cheerful rays, in a wretched, 
cave-like dungeon beneath the surface of the earth, and 
whose slimy walls sent forth a pestilential odor, from 
which there was no escape. But their brave hearts 
and good constitutions survived the cowardly attempt 
to murder them by inches, and they lived to return to 
their friends and liberty, though with wasted frames 
and health permanently impaired. 

SIGMOND COUNT VON BRAIDAY. 

This gentleman was many months a prisoner, and 
shared wdth us the hardships and deprivations of our 
confinement at Macon, Charleston and Columbia, and 
by his gentlemanly conduct, courteous manners, and 
soldierly bearing, endeared himself to all. He is the 
second son of an Austrian nobleman, and is himself a 
native of the city of Vienna. But when our great 
struggle for national existence commenced he sundered 
the thousand ties that bound him to home, friends and 
his native land, to battle with us in the cause of free- 
dom and constitutional liberty. Arriving on our shores 
he made known his intentions to the War Department, 
and was commissioned First Lieutenant in the Second 
New Jersey cavalry, in which organization he served 
honorably and bravely until captured, early on General 
Grant's famous campaign against Richmond. 

While a prisoner at Columbia he received intelli- 
gence that his elder brother, who succeeded to the 
estate and title of his father (some years deceased) had 



AND HOW TREATED. 235 

departed this life, and the title of Count and the own- 
ership of the estate had thereby fell to him. 

As all communications to the prisoners were exam- 
ined by the rebel officials in charge, the letter bringing 
the above inteUigence to Lieutenant Yon Braiday, also 
informed the commandant of the prison that he had a 
"real live Count" in his keeping, and that worthy im- 
mediately came in the pen, and sought an interview 
with the Count, and expressed himself as very sorry 
that he had not been before informed of his position 
and standing in society, and also insisted that he should 
no longer remain in prison, but go out and live as a 
guest at his house until exchanged. The Count, dis- 
daining the proffered hospitality of one who thought 
it beneath him to treat civily a plain, simple soldier, 
although a man — the image of the Creator — and pay 
such obsequiousness to wealth and station, replied, 
that where he was, he knew he had nearly eleven hun- 
dred friends, while if he went outside he would not find 
one whom he could willingly call such, and, therefore, 
preferred remaining with his fellow prisoners and share 
their lot. 

Captain L. passing by the Count, on one occasion, 
when he was industriously engaged cutting and split- 
ing wood, with which to kindle a fire to boil his corn 
meal, enquired of him where he learned the art of chop- 
ping? He replied, "In ze prison, to be sure — I no 
mind him much — but ze washing, Oh! by gar! Why 
do za no pay ze wash- woman more mone ? " The 
Count's experience, washing his dirty shirt, had brought 
conviction to his mind that that portion of the labor- 
ing population, who take care of our wrist bands, collars, 
and " dickeys " are poorly paid for their services. After 
my escape, and while in the city of Washington, I met 



236 

the Count for the last time, he was then making pre- 
parations to sail for Europe, and a few days afterwards 
departed for his native land, to enjoy his rich heritage 
of titles, honor, and wealth, and " long may he wave. " 

LIEUTENANT E. N. REED. 

This gallant young officer yielded up his life endeav- 
oring to escape from the tortures of southern prisons, 
in which his courage and powers of endurance, for 
seventeen months, had struggled with death, but were 
at last baffled by that scourge of mankind, yellow 
fever. 

At our country's first call for troops to suppress the 
great rebellion of the nineteenth century, he volun- 
teered as a private in the Third regiment Ohio Volun- 
teer Infantry, in which organization he was known as 
a faithful and honorable soldier, and was, immediately 
after the battle of Perryville, promoted to a Lieuten- 
ancy. 

He was with his regiment on Colonel Streight's ex- 
pedition in the spring of 1863, through ISTorthern Ala- 
bama and Georgia, and in one of the series of engage- 
ments of that command with General Forrest's cavalry, 
received a severe wound in the hip, and fell into the 
hands of the enemy, who suflered him to lay several 
days without medical aid or treatment of any kind 
In this miserable condition he was thrown into a wagon 
and for many miles was hauled over a rough, moun- 
tainous country, to the railroad at Iluntsville, Alabama, 
where, with many other prisoners, he was packed into 
a dilapidated old stock car, and started en route for 
Richmond and incarcerated in the Libby with the other 
Federal officers. For want of medical attention he 



AND HOW TREATED. 237 

suffered here for several months, and while in this pain- 
ful condition, for a mere imaginary breach of the se- 
vere prison regulations, he was thrust into one of the 
everlasting dungeons in the basement of Libby, where, 
with no bed but the bare floor, and without a morsel 
of anything to eat, he was kept for forty-eight hours, 
his wound at the same time running so as to require 
frequent w^ashing and dressing. Surviving his wound, 
ill treatment and the vicissitudes of prison life, he was 
still with us up to the time we left Charleston, and the 
morning we started from that city to Columbia he es- 
caped from the guard before getting aboard the train, 
and sought refuge in an old, uninhabited building in 
the suburbs of the town. While concealed in this 
place, watching an opportunity to leave the city and 
get through to our lines, he was taken with a severe 
attack of yellow fever — which was then raging in 
Charleston. It soon exhausted his enfeebled system, 
and alone, with neither friend or foe to minister to his 
dying wants, his spirit departed its tenement of clay, 
and winged its way to the Creator who gave it, adding 
another to the long list of noble victims, that now 
sleep in unknown graves beneath the Southern sky, 
and whose spirits should haunt to the brink of the un- 
quenchable lake, Jefferson Davis and his fiendish co- 
laborers. 

FLINN AND SAWYER. 

On the sixth of July, 1863, one of the most solemn 
and deeply interesting ceremonies transpired in Libby 
Prison that I have ever witnessed. All of the Federal 
officers of the rank of Captain, (seventy-eight in num- 
ber,) held as prisoners of war at that time by the rebel 



238 

authorities, were drawn up in line in one of the rooms 
on the lower floor, and an order read to them from 
General Winder to Major Turner, in which the latter 
officer was directed to select two Captains of the United 
States army, from among the number he held in con- 
finement, for immediate execution, in retaliation for 
two rebel officers hung by order of General Burnside. 
This information produced an instant change on the 
countenances of the officers whose fate it so much con- 
cerned. When first called into line, they stepped out 
with exuberant spirits, and pleasing anticipations of 
exchange, home and freedom ; but now hilarity was 
cast aside, and a calm stern resolve to meet, heroic and 
manfully, whatever fate might befall them in the just 
cause to which they had dedicated their stout hearts 
and strong arms, and, if need be, their lives, beamed 
from the face of each. 

The picture was one well worthy the pencil of a Yer- 
net. On a small table, in the center of the circle, 
formed by the seventy-eight gallant officers, on which 
was placed a box which contained their names, written 
on separate slips of paper. At one end of the table, 
haughty and egotistical, and with a satisfied air, as if 
the occasion was one productive of pleasure, stood Ma- 
jor Thomas P. Turner, commandant of the prison ; at 
the other, the good old white-haired Chaplain of the 
I^inth Maryland Infantry, who had been designated by 
the prisoners to draw two slips of paper from the box, 
and those whose names were written thereon were to be 
the doomed men. Solemnly and breathlessly one is 
drawn, and each, feeling that his life or death depended 
on it, anxiously awaited the announcement. It is Henry 
W. Sawyer, Capt. of the First 'New Jersey Cavalry; all 
eyes are turned towards him, and a slight commotion 



AND HOW TREATED. 239 

ensues, but not a word or exclamation is heard. Again 
the old Chaplain thrusts his hand in the box; all is si- 
lent as death, while from the paper drawn he reads — 
Captain John Flinn, of the Fifty-First Indiana Volun- 
teer Infantry. The ceremony ended, the doomed men 
were conducted to General Winder's headquarters for 
an interview with that officer. He most shamefully 
cursed and abused them, and notified them that they 
would be executed within ten days. 

After the old gray-haired traitor had exhausted his 
vocabulary of abusive epithets, he ordered the prison- 
ers back to the Libby to be placed in the dungeon in 
the basement of that institution, there to be kept un- 
til the day of their execution. 

Soon as a knowledge of the circumstances were 
known to our Government, Brigadier General W. F. 
Lee, of the rebel army, and Captain Winder, son of 
General John H. Winder, who our authorities held as 
prisoners of war, were placed in close confinement as 
hostages for the safety of Flinn and Sawyer, and the 
rebel authorities notified that if their lives were de- 
stroyed, Lee and Winder would be immediately exe- 
cuted in retaliation. This prompt action on the part 
of our Government had the desired effect — the execu- 
tion of Flinn and his companion in misfortune was in- 
definitely deferred, though they were, for a long time, 
kept in the unhealthy dungeon before spoken of. 

They were finally released and placed on the same 
footing as the other prisoners, and in March, 1864, ex- 
changed for the same officers whom our authorities 
held for their safety. 

The conduct and bearing of these officers (especially 
that of Captain Flinn,) while the sentence of death 
hung over their heads, was heroic, calm and dignified. 



240 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

They had grappled with death on many fields of bloody 
carnage, and in their country's cause they could meet 
him with firmness, even on that machine of infamy — 
the gallows. 

At the time they w^ere confined in the cell. Captain 
Flinn's health was very poor, yet he was not furnished 
with anything in the shape of bedding, nor with food 
fit even for a well man to eat, and, as a consequence, 
like many other victims of my acquaintance who were 
there confined, it became seriously and permanently 
impaired. May his tormentors receive their just re- 
ward ! 

MAJOR B. C. G. REED. 

Among the many young and gallant spirits who have 
sealed with their lives their devotion to our Govern- 
ment, none, perhaps, are more worthy of our remem- 
brance and gratitude than the subject of this sketch. 

He was among the number of those gallant hearts 
who bared their breasts to resist the first shock of the 
rebellion. Enlisting in the Third regiment of Ohio 
Volunteers, earl}^ in the spring of 1861, he served with 
honor and distinction in the Western Virginia cam- 
paigns during the first year of the war, and for meritori- 
ous service was advanced to the grade of Captain. His 
regiment, forming a part of Colonel Streight's mem- 
orable expedition to the rear of Bragg's army, in the 
spring of 1863, it was his misfortune, along with the 
whole command, to fall into the hands of the enemy a 
prisoner of war. His restless and ardent temperament 
could ill brook the close confinement to which he had 
to submit, consequently his imaginative and fertile 
brain was constantly inventing schemes for escape, but 



AND now TREATED. 241 

iron-grated windows, shackles, hand-cufFs and rebel 
bayonets, for a long wdiile baffled every eflbrt. His 
first attempt was with Colonel Streight from Libby 
Prison in December, 18G3, which, as has been shown 
in another part of this work, was nipped in the bud by 
the treachery of the guard, who, for a compensation, 
had agreed to let them pass out. 

Soon after being released from the cell, where he was 
coniined with Colonel Streight twenty-one days, on 
corn-bread and water, as a punishment for the at- 
tempted escape, he was selected and sent to Salisbury, 
North Carolina, in irons, and there placed in close con- 
finement as a hostage for the safety of a rebel officer in 
the hands of the United States authorities, and against 
whom were serious charges of conduct not warranted 
by the rules of war. 

From Salisbury, Captain Reed made several efl'orts 
to escape, and, on two occasions, succeeded in getting 
to within a few miles of our troops in East Tennessee, 
but was, each time, hunted down with blood-l,^ounds, 
recaptured, and taken back to p>rison. The sixth and 
last attempt, and which proved successful, was from 
the railroad train at Charleston, when we first arrived 
at that city from Macon, and was as follows : 

During one of his expeditions from Salisbury peni- 
tentiary, he procured a suit of rebel gray, and, attired 
in this, he slipped from the car in which he had been 
riding, and passing along the line of guards stationed 
around the train, he selected one he thought would be 
a good subject on whom to practice a "Yankee trick," 
and endeavored to engage him in conversation, but the 
guard, supposing him from his dress, to be a resident of 
the city, ordered him outside the lines, with the remark 
that neither himself nor the prisoners were allowed to 
(16) 



242 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

converse with the prisoners. This was jast wliat the ad- 
venturous Captain wanted, and, therefore, did not wait 
for the order to be repeated, though, to keep up the 
delusion, he started off seemingly reluctantly, and look- 
ing in a manner tljat the guard thought meant venge- 
ance on him for so rudely ordering him awa}'. 

Losing himself among the crowd of idle curiosity- 
seekers collected around the depot, to see the Yankee 
officers, he wended his way to a place of security, 
where he remained concealed until a dark stormy night 
gave him an opportunity of passing in a small row- 
boat down tlie Ashley river into Charleston harbor, 
and by the rebel picket-boats, and in his frail craft 
finally reached Sullivan's Island, where he was among 
friends and under the starrj^ folds of the old flng. 

Seldom has such energy, bravery and perseverance 
been displayed in tlie pursuit of any one object as by 
Captain Reed in efforts to gain his liberty, and his 
comrades were all rejoiced when fate crowned his 
bravery and energy with success. 

Shortly after his arrival at his liome in Zanes- 
ville, Ohio, he was honored by Governor Brough by 
an appointment to the Majority of the One Hundred 
and Seventy-Fourth regiment of Ohio Volunteer In- 
fantry, in which organization he soon endeared himself 
to both officers and men by his soldierly qualities and 
genial disposition. But the grim monster. Death, ever 
envious of noble victims, had alreadj? marked him for 
his own, and, on the seventh of December, 1864, in the 
battle on the Wilkinson turnpike, near Murfreesboro', 
Tennessee, while bravely discharging his duties, the 
gallant Reed fell mortally wounded, and soon his noble 
spirit winged its way to the realms of immortality ! 
Thus passed from earth to heaven a noble, lofty souL 



AND HOW TREATED, 243 

Thus our country lost a brave defender, parents an af- 
fectionate son, and brother-soldiers a gallant comrade* 
In commemoration of his name and gallant services, 
the following was issued by Major General Thomas, 
in whose department our heroic friend was serving 
when he received his death-wound : 

" Headquarters, Department of the Cumberland, 
Nashville^ Tennessee, June 19tli, 1865. 
General Order, Kg. 43. 

In accordance with the time-honored custom in the 
United States army, and as an appropriate tribute to 
the memory of some of our brave comrades whose spir- 
its passed away amid the din of battle, or w4iO died 
from wounds received in action, or from no less fatal 
disease contracted in the camp, it is ordered that their 
names be given to the defensive works of ISTashville, 
which shall stand, for long years to come, fit monu- 
ments to their valor and devotion to their country. 

ijc >jc jjc ^ >i< ;!< :f: 

■*^ ■ *lf ^-tf *Xf *^ •-»>• *v 

.^* *y* irf* *y» *^ y^ *^ 

VIIL The work on Charlotte turnpike, and the 
battery between the Charlotte and Harding turnpikes, 
is named Battery Reed, in honor of Major B. C. G, 
lieed, One Hundred and Seventy-Fourth regiment of 
Ohio Volunteer Infantr^^ who was killed in the battle 
on the Wilkinson turnpike, near Murfreesboro', Ten- 
nessee, December seventh, 1864.'' 

His character was of a type w^hich eminently adapted 
him to the profession of the soldier. He was brave and 
daring even to rashness, and his virtues were many, 
while his faults were few. His genial disposition and 
urbane deportment rendered his conquest of the affec- 



244 THE PRISONER OF WAR, 

tions of others easy. The enthusiasm and earnestness 
of his noble nature enlisted him in the cause in which 
he fell, as one of its warmest and most zealous advo- 
cates. 

"To know him was to love him," hut to appreciate 
bim, an association of mature growth was necessary. 
Had he escaped the stern decree which terminated his 
hopes, his usefulness, and his life, Fame would have 
wrought for him a chaplet of her choicest flowers. 

Noble Spirit, gallant soldier, true friend! green be 
thy grave and memory ! Fare thee well ! 



THE EIS-D. 



A.. F. NOBLE, 



AUTHOBIZED 



Governm't Claim Agent, 

No. 5 YOHN'S BLOCK, NORTH MEEIDIAN ST., 



JlKiTor several years past, auditing Clerk of Claims of Indiana Soldiers, in the office 
of tke Second Auditor of the Treasury Department, Washington, D. C. 



Back Pay and Bounty, Pensions, Commutation of Rations 
of Prisoners of War, &c.. Horses Lost in Service, and 
Claims of every description against the Government, 
cashed or collected on reasonable terms. Officers' 
Returns made out, and Certificates of Non-Indebt- 
edness obtained from the Departments, and all 
papers in relation to Claims promptly and cor- 
rectly executed. Treasury Certificates and 
all Collections promptly attended to. 



Laz. Noble, Clerk of Supreme Court of Indiana. 

Gen. W. H. H. Terrell, Adjutant General Statf* of Indiana. 

Hon. J. RisTiNE, Auditor of State. 

Major Daniel McClure, Chief Paymaster District of Indiana and Illinois. 

Major M. L. Bundy, Paymaster, U. S. A. 

Dr. F. S. Newcomer. 

Messrs. Fletcher, Vajen &, Co., Bankers. 

Messrs. A. & J. C. S. Harrison, Bankers. 

Messrs. Fletcher, Jr. & Churchman, Bankers. 

Hon. W. H. Randall, London, Ky. 

Wm. S. Huntington, Cashier First National Bank, Washington, D. C. 



245 



Rail Eoad City Publishing House. 



A. D. STREIGHT, Proprietor. 



HEADaUAETEES FOR BOOK AGENTS. 



uA^GJ-EIVTS "WANTED 



In every County in the Union to canTass for the publications of this popular bouse. 
The proprietor has been engaged for many years in the publication of Subscription 
Books, and consequently knows just what class of books agents want, and this, in con- 
Hection with our system of posting and instructions to our agents, is the reason why 
they have such universal success, where agents of other houses signally fail. 

Our books give better satisfaction to the people than those of any other establish- 
ment in the country. 

They are handsomely and durably bound. And as wedevote our attention exclusively 
to the" publication of subscription books, we are able to give agents better terms than 
other publishers, at the same time enable them to furnish our books to the public as 
cheap 93 the cheapest. 

Throe new works now ready for agents, namely: 

King's American Pamily Physician, 

OB DOMESTIC GUIDE TO HEALTH. 

Thi3 an invaluable work on Disease and the Laws of Health, designed exclusively for 
the people and should be in the hands of every family. Agents for the book are meet- 
ing with unparalleled success. 



The following are some of the numerous notices and recommendations this work has 
received by those who have given it an examination : 

[From the Indianapolis Journal.] 
* * '•■ As to its origin, it comes from one who certainly stands at the 

head of the medical profession in the West. John King, M. D., and Professor of Medi- 
cine, Cincinnati, is a man of more than twejity years' experience, in the healing art, 
and stands pre-eminent as an educator in the same. The book deserves much credit 
for its simplicity of style. It is not written for the purpose of scientific display, but 
for the. good of thy people. It goes further toward redeeming those practical facts con- 
tained in medical science from tho dead masses of technical lumber, by which they 

246 



EAILROAD CITY PUBLISHING HOUSE. 



have heretofore been secluded from the comprehension of those who have the best right 
to understand them, than any work extant which it has been our privilege (o review. 
Any man of common sense may - =:•• ■■' fully understand it, and, by still 
further application of his mother wit, may successfully treat almost all forms of dis- 
ease peculiar to this country, and thereby save much of Ids hard earnings. ■■■ ''•• * 
Wo commend it to the people generally. 



The following is from the justly celebrated Dr. Buruham, proprietor of the Chronic 
Disease Infirmary of this city : 

Indianapolis, Ind., Jan. 14th, 1861. 

A. D. STREIGHT, ESQ. -.—Dear Sir: Having carefully examined a work of your pub- 
lication eniiiled "New American Family Physician," by John King, M, D., I find in 
point of style that it is concise, couched in plain language, and free from technicalities. 
Voluminous in variety of topics discussed, it comprises an amount of practical matter 
pertaining to the preservation of health, the history and treatment of disease, une- 
qualed in adaption for popular use. A more general diffusion of knowledge upon the 
topics therein discussed, will serve as one of the greatest protections against the intru- 
sions of ignorant pretenders, who propose to tamper with human health and life, and, I 
trust, will be cordially hailed by '.very intelligent physician, appreciating the fact that 
the stupid credulity of ignorance is much more formidable to encounter than the wisdom 
of an enlightened intelligence. In fine, the volume is worthy of the well earned rep- 
utation of its author, and I cheerfully commend it as highly deserving a prominent 
place in the library of every family. 

Truly yours, 

N. G. BUENHAM, M. D. 



{From Prof. A. J. Howe, M. D.] 

I am acquainted with all the works on Domestic Medicine of any account, and un- 
hesitatingly pronuounce " King's American Family Physician" the best. 

A. JACKSON HOWE, M. D., 
Cincinnati, 0., 18G0. Professor of Surgery. 

''INDIANA'S ROLL OP HONOR." 

This work is a faithful history of the noble deeds of Indiana's heroic soldiers in tho 
great rebellion. It contains fine steel engravings of many gallant Indianans who with 
their lives sealed their devotion to tfieir country. Also biographical sketches and a 
history of each regiment and artillery organization sent from Indiana to the field. 
Every family in the State who feels a pride in the glory achieved by Indiana soldiers in 
the war for the suppression of the rebellion, should have this book. 



OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 

Indiana's Holl of Honor. We can net better describe the comprehensive features 
and value of this history, than by quoting the following resolution of the General 
Assembly at its session of 1862-.3: 

liesolfed, That it shall be the duty of the State Librarian to carefully collect and ar- 
range, in the manner hereinafter prescribed, for the futu'e preservation, for the use of 
the State ; the names of soldiery (officers and men) who have fallen in this struggle, or 
who may hereafter fall, whether by disease or by the violence of the enemy ; their 
names, ages, places of nativity and residence; place and date of enlisiraent, draft or 
substitution ; regiment, company, commanding officers from Colonel to Captain inclu- 
sive ; length of service, the battles, skirmishes or any other engagement with the ene- 
my in whicli they may have participated, or any other incidents connected with their 
history; and it officers, the office, date of commission, division, brigade, regiment or 
company commanded by them, or to which they were attached, with the promotions, 
if any, and the causes for the same, and any and all other matters that may be inter- 
esting and useful in the transmission of these illustrious names to the posterity of tho 
State. That the whole be inscribed in a clear and legible hand, in such forms as to be 
convenient for printing in a large and respectable book or books, eniitled " Indiana's 
Roll of Honor," and the same to be placed in the Library of the State. 

As nearly as can be in one volume this has been done, and is now presented to the 
public. The author has succeeded admirably in recording the history of the various 

247 



RAILROAD CITY PUBLISHING HOUSE. 



campaigns of the war, in all of which Indiana troops have more or less participated, 
and in presenting these histories in a form that makes them valuable as histories and 
at the same time as interesting as romance. 

In following out the directions of the General Assembly the author has succeeded in 
an eminent degree. The undertaking was arduous, requiring great labor, and thought, 
and study ; but ihe first volume shows that all difficulties will be overcome, and " Indi- 
ana's Roll of Honor" inscribed in characters that will never {i\.de.—Indiana])olis Gazette. 



The plan of the work is simple, but complete. It takes up the various campaigns 
of the war, in which Indiana troops have been engaged, and sketches an outline of 
them, that the reader may see the surroundings of the picture, and then paints with as 
much particularity as possible, and often very vividly, the performances of our regi- 
ments, following their general narrative, with a history of each i-egiment separately 
from its organization, its battles, marches, and adventures, and following this again 
with historical sketches of the officers who have been killed, and such of the men as 
were distinguished by gallantry or good service. 

The history of the three months' campaign in Western Virginia, and of the Cheat 
Mountain campaign, we should cite as among the best of the general sketches. There 
is no straining after eifect in them, no attempt to make phrases supply the place of 
facts, and they are often enlivened with descriptions of mountain scenery of genuine 
beauty. They are very full, too, and, so far as we can judge, very accurate. We shall 
hardly say more than they deserve if we say that they make together the best account 
of the early war in Western Virginia that has yet appeared in any part of the country. 
The summary X)f the States' services, in raising and equipping troops, providing arms, 
caring for the sick and wounded, and meeting all the emergencies of the war, is also 
admirably done. It is the best we have seen. In fact, it is the only account that at- 
tempts to exhibit all that has been done connectedly and clearly. 

The regimental histories are generally mtich more complete than we could have ex- 
pected, and many of them are remarkably well written. 

So far as it has progressed the •' Roll of Honor " has more than equaled the promises 
of the author, and given us such a histoi-y as an Indianaa may read with interest and 
pride. — Indianapolis Journal. 



Indiana's Roll of Honor. — When this work first made its appearance, we gave it 
only a passing notice, as we did not wish to give an unqualified approval before we had 
carefully read it. Since then we have perused it with care, and have been agreeably 
disappointed. The author, instead of following in the beaten track, and pandering to 
the prejudices of the public, has given us a fiiir, candid and impartial narrative of 
events, leaving his readers free to draw their own conclusions. The plan of the author 
is different from the histories of the war now in the course of ])ublication. He takes 
campaigns and follows them through, giving a clear and distinct view to his readers, 
treating of events transpiring in other departments only so far as they relate to events 
passing in the one review. Other writers on the war seem to jump from battle to battle, 
and from siege to siege, making a jumble of grand events that leave the inind clouded 
and confused. Most decidedly, in our opinion, is Mr. Stevenson's work the most desi- 
rable to those who wish to read a book on the war understandingly. In addition to the 
campaigns sketched, which will be interesting and instructive to the general reader 
outside of the State, the citizens of Indiana will find the regimental histories and bio- 
graphical sketches particularly so. 

We notice that, notwithstanding the enhanced value of material, the paper, press- 
work and binding of the second edition is quite superior to that of the first. Several 
typographical errors, also, which evidently were overlooked by the proof-reader in the 
first, have been corrected in the second edition. — Indianapolis Sentinel, March 29, 1864. 



An agent writes " send books faster, I am selling from 75 to 125 per week." This is 
undoubtedly the book for agents that wish to operate in this State. 



THE PRISONER OF WAR. 

This is a truthful narrative from personal experience of the terrible treatment and 
horrible suffering of Union prisoners in the South. Every body buvs it. The best 
cheap book for agents yet published. 

JK^rSend for a circular and terms, to agents, for either of the above. 
Address : 

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA 

248 



" A Policy of Life Insurance is the cheapest and safest method for making provision 
for one's family."— Da. Franklin. 

THE NORTH-WESTERN 

MBmLLIFEIiiRAEECO. 

THE SAFEST AND BEST COMPANY FOE, 

WESTERN MEN TO INSURE IN. 

This Company issued during its Sixth Fiscal Year, 4,297 Policies, 

INSURING, - - - 85,979,902.55. 

A very considerable increase over last year's large business. 
The Assetts of the Company now amount to near Three-Quarters of a Million 
Dollars, having more than doubled the past year. The losses paid during the year, 
amounting to $55,(550.05, was only 98-100 of one per cent, insured at the beginning of 
the year, and comparing with average American experience, as reported by the Massa- 
chusetts Commissioners, is 98 to 124. 

LOSSES PAID PROMPTLY ON RECEIPT OP PROOFS. 

The success of the Company has been almost unparalleled in the history of Life In- 
surance. It is decidedly popular throughout the Nonh-West. 

Prompt, energetic and reliable agents wanted in every town in Indiana, to whom the 
highest Salary or best Commissions will be paid. 

OFEICERS OF THE COMPANY: 

A. W. KELLOGG, Secretary. S. S. DAGGETT, President, 

J. G. McKINDLEY, General Agent. 
MARTIN & HOPKINS, State Agents for Indiana, to whom all communications for 
Agencies should be addressed. 
iSSS^Officefor Indiana State agency. No. 7 Temperance Ilall, Indianapolis, Indiana. 

TRAiiLis' wmmi CO. 

Capital wholly paid up and Invested, - - - - $500,000. 

This Company insures against all accidents, whether they occur in traveling by rail- 
road, steamboa^t or stage coach, walking in the street, at work in the shop, or sitting 
by the domestic fireside; whether riding, boating, hunting, fishing, shooting, swim- 
ming, cricketing, surveying, engineering; whether working or playing, sleeping or 
waking, in danger or out of (apparent) danger, at home or abroad— in every variety of 
circumstances in which mankind are ordinarily placed. 

ORDINARY RATES OF INSURANCE. 

A policy for SlO,000 and $50 per week disability, costs ?50 

A policy for $5,000 and $2,5 " " " 25 

A policy for $:5,000 and $15 " " " lo 

A policy for $2,000 and $10 " " " 1^ 

A policy for $1,000 and $5 " " " .-• o 

JSt^Policies written by the Company's Agent. 

NEAR 200 CLAIMS FOR COMPENSATION 

Have been paid up to July 1st, 1865. 
KODNEY DENNIS, Secretary. JAMES G.. BATTERSON, President, 

MAETIN & HOPKINS, Special Agents for Indiana. 
OFFICE, No. 7 Temperance Hall, Indianapolis, Indiana. 

249 



SPLENDID INDUCEMENTS. 



WOW IS THE TIME TO SUBSCRIBE. 



THE WESTERN RURAL, 

A Weekly Journal for the Farm and Fireside. 



COMMEflGHMENT OF VOtUMH THmOt 

Enlargement and Improvement. 



Thk Western Rural hns been received with emphatic manifestations of approval by 
both Tress and People, and has proved one of the greatest newspaper successes of the 
day, having already subscribers at nearly every post-office in the Western States, num- 
bering deliglited readers in thousands of Western liomes, and showing the widely felt 
need of a first-class Weekly Farm and Family Newspaper, devoted to Western interests 
and all topics connected wilh the Farm, the Orchard and the Garden, the breeding and 
the care of Horses, Cattle, etc. ; to choice Family Heading, Stories, Domestic Economy 
and {'ookery. General News, the Markets, etc. Its "Childuen's Corner" is a promi- 
nent feature. 

Concerning the Markets nr«tl the Market prospects, it aims to give the information 
most needed by every Farmer. 

SUBSCRIPTION R.iTES— $2.50 per year ; less to clubs. 



A PEEMIUM ENGEAVING. 

To stimulate efforts in extending our list of subscribers, we are offering as a premium 
for (.'lulls, (and in couuectiou with individual subscriptions at low rates, (the splendid 
Steel Engraving, 

"H0311E1 :FI103J: the "W.A.Ii," 

A most elegant Parlor ornament. The work illustrates the return and restoration to 
liis mother, wife and faTiiiiy, of a Union Soldier, and is a picture that can be looked 
upon again and again witli new interest. It occupied 18 months' labor of the artist, 
IMcIIac. Every loyal family shoiibi have it. They are sold by traveling agents at $2.50 
to •?:',. (H) (.;icii, but having niade a favorable contract for them by the quantity, we de- 
sire to give our j.atrons the benefit of it, and offer it on the following terms. It is, 
witliout.exceptiun, the most ai)i)ropriate memorial of the war that can be procured: 

One subscrii)tion one year, and one Engraving $4 00 

Four suliscriptions (ui'e year, an<l Engraving to Agent 8 00 

Eight subscriptions lor six months, and engraving to Agent 8 00 

Cluli i)aiiiTs addressi-d to names of subscribers, and sent to different Post-offices. 
Sp'jcimou copi'-'S sent free. Engravings carefully packed, uud postage prepaid. 
Address : 

H. N. F. LEWIS, 

PuMisher Western Rural, Detroit, Michigan, 
Or A.. D. STI^EIOHT, 

General Agent for Indiana, Indianapolis, Indiana. 

250 



E. WEEDED. E. T. SUMWALT 

Booksellers and Stationers, 



And Dealers in 



WALL PAPER, WINDOW SHADES, ETC, 

No. Q6 East Washington Street, 

Opposite Glenn's Block, INDIANAPOLIS, IND. 

BSTHeadquaxters for Medical Books and Gold Pens. 



(Late Col. 40th Ind. Vols.,) 

miTASYCUl&COUEtTIONAIiEliT. 

AND ATTORNEY AT LAW\ 

OFFICE, Sheets' Building, next Masonic Hall, opposite Theater, 

IVo. 'T'O ^Vt^st ^^^asliington Street, 

INDIANAPOLIS, IND. 



Secures all War CTaima, obtains with dispatch Back Pay, Pensions, Bounty, for Sol- 
diers or their heirs, Losses of every kind, Commutation of Eations for Prisoners of 
War, or men on furlough, extra pay, pay for hoses lost in the service, damage by troops, 
prize money, certificates of non-indebtedness for officers. Has an efficient agent at 
Washington. All military business promptly transacted. Advice give in law or raili- 
tary business. A notary public in this office always. Officers' pay accounts and affi- 
davits made out. 

J. W. BLAKE, Attorney and Claim Agent. 

J9®"Collections made in all parts of the State. 

NEW LUMBER YARD, 

SOUTH OF TERRE HAUTE DEPOT, 

Call and examine the splendid assortment of seasoned 

mt tUMBEHt eGai^ITimOt 40t$Tt 

Shingles, Cedar Fence Posts and Pine Fencing, also a constant supply of 

Dressed Flooring and Weather Boarding, at prices that will 

defy competition in this market. 

A. D. STEEIGHT, Prop'r. 
251 



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